For the government of Stephen Harper, turning its ambitious trade negotiations into practical results is central to its jobs and growth strategy. It trumpets the fact that Canada has signed free-trade agreements with eight countries since 2006, and is negotiating deals that cover another 50. What the government doesn't say is that it has not yet successfully completed the negotiation of a single comprehensive agreement with a major trading partner. It has just months to show that this agenda is credible. Published in the Economy Lab section of the Globe and Mail.