This paper reviews the processes for bilateral equivalence arrangements concluded in the past several years between Canada and the United States, Canada and the European Union, and the European Union and United States. These arrangements suggest a trend from unilateral equivalence declarations of an importing country toward an exporting country, to negotiations in which export and import considerations are at play on the part of both countries, and where the question becomes “can we recognize each other?” The review is based on interviews with key actors in the negotiating delegations from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the European Commission (EC), and several others who had roles in supporting and reviewing the technical assessments. The focus of the paper is on process rather than on specific details of the discussions or final arrangements.