So Much for the New Government's New Relationship with the US
So we watered down our original NAFTA position so that Harper could look US-friendly just as we were about to win big on Softwood. The 'new' government's new agreement was sold to Canadians as a deal that would guarantee stability in the forestry sector. Now, ten months into the seven year deal, the Americans are out for more blood. There is no such thing as getting along with the US - there's just getting walked all over or not getting walked all over. It would be nice if more Canadians paid attention to this fact before we sell the store. (Anyone seen H2O?)
Today the Globe and Mail reports:
"The U.S. government has launched arbitration proceedings in what will be the first major test of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement.It claims Canada is violating terms of the year-old treaty by pushing too much B.C. and Alberta lumber into the U.S. market and by forest-industry support programs offered by Ontario and Quebec.'It is truly regrettable that, just 10 months after the agreement entered into force, the United States has no choice but to initiate arbitration proceedings to compel Canada to live up to its SLA obligations . . .' U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said Tuesday in a news release.'Our efforts to resolve these matters through consultations have not been successful. 'http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070807.wsoftwood0807/BNStory/robNews/homeOn
So much for the exultation on October 12, 2006 when Canada's government reported that:
"MINISTER EMERSON MARKS IMPLEMENTATION OF
SOFTWOOD LUMBER AGREEMENT
The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of International Trade, today issued the following statement marking the implementation of the Softwood Lumber Agreement.
“Today, Canada’s softwood lumber industry breaks free from the endless cycle of conflict, uncertainty and costly litigation. . .“Today’s achievement is proof that, by focusing our efforts and adopting a new spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, Canada’s New Government is getting things done for Canadians.”
So much for that new spirit of respect and cooperation.
Today the Globe and Mail reports:
"The U.S. government has launched arbitration proceedings in what will be the first major test of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement.It claims Canada is violating terms of the year-old treaty by pushing too much B.C. and Alberta lumber into the U.S. market and by forest-industry support programs offered by Ontario and Quebec.'It is truly regrettable that, just 10 months after the agreement entered into force, the United States has no choice but to initiate arbitration proceedings to compel Canada to live up to its SLA obligations . . .' U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said Tuesday in a news release.'Our efforts to resolve these matters through consultations have not been successful. 'http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070807.wsoftwood0807/BNStory/robNews/homeOn
So much for the exultation on October 12, 2006 when Canada's government reported that:
"MINISTER EMERSON MARKS IMPLEMENTATION OF
SOFTWOOD LUMBER AGREEMENT
The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of International Trade, today issued the following statement marking the implementation of the Softwood Lumber Agreement.
“Today, Canada’s softwood lumber industry breaks free from the endless cycle of conflict, uncertainty and costly litigation. . .“Today’s achievement is proof that, by focusing our efforts and adopting a new spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, Canada’s New Government is getting things done for Canadians.”
So much for that new spirit of respect and cooperation.
posted by Susan at 9:00 PM
2 Comments:
I all along said this was a bad deal. If the United States was able to break NAFTA, what makes anyone think they would follow the current agreement. The only way to get things done with the United States is to form alliances with other countries. Japan and the EU have had similiar trade disputes so if we supported them in their disputes in exchange for them supporting us, we might force the Americans to take notice. We are too small to have any effect on the Americans on our own.
For God's sake, Susan, don't use "water" and "NAFTA" in the same sentence. That day will get here all on its own and all too soon for our good.
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