D
dan e 1980
Guest
tear 'em a new one PM²
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WSJ backs Canada on softwood dispute
CANADIAN PRESS
WASHINGTON — America's most powerful business publication threw its considerable influence behind Canada on Friday in its nasty trade spat with the U.S. over softwood lumber.
The Wall Street Journal, which has backed Canada in the past, said in an editorial today that Prime Minister Paul Martin has a strong argument about U.S. duties on Canadian softwood imports that average about 20 per cent.
"Americans have a stake here too, since the duties add about $1,000 to the cost of a new home and affect thousands of jobs in industries that depend on lower-cost Canadian lumber," the editorial said.
"President (George W.) Bush's vision of a strong North America depends upon the integrated market being allowed to work. That's as much in the interest of Americans as Canadians."
Martin met the newspaper's editorial board this week to discuss several topics, including the fact that U.S. officials aren't abiding by a final ruling under the continental free trade pact that sides with Canada.
He spent much of the day yesterday focusing on softwood, including a speech to Wall Street power brokers where he said the U.S. refusal to stop the punishing duties and return some $5 billion already collected is "nonsense" and "a breach of faith."
A panel under the North American Free Trade Agreement ruled in August that Canadian lumber doesn't pose a threat to American producers.
U.S. companies argue softwood from north of the border is unfairly subsidized and dumped on the American market at a low price.
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didn't one of the biggest canadian lumber firms (macmillan bloedel) get bought by american CO. weyerhaeuser?
it's almost like the american government crippled the canadian lumber industry so that it can buy it out and own it.
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WSJ backs Canada on softwood dispute
CANADIAN PRESS
WASHINGTON — America's most powerful business publication threw its considerable influence behind Canada on Friday in its nasty trade spat with the U.S. over softwood lumber.
The Wall Street Journal, which has backed Canada in the past, said in an editorial today that Prime Minister Paul Martin has a strong argument about U.S. duties on Canadian softwood imports that average about 20 per cent.
"Americans have a stake here too, since the duties add about $1,000 to the cost of a new home and affect thousands of jobs in industries that depend on lower-cost Canadian lumber," the editorial said.
"President (George W.) Bush's vision of a strong North America depends upon the integrated market being allowed to work. That's as much in the interest of Americans as Canadians."
Martin met the newspaper's editorial board this week to discuss several topics, including the fact that U.S. officials aren't abiding by a final ruling under the continental free trade pact that sides with Canada.
He spent much of the day yesterday focusing on softwood, including a speech to Wall Street power brokers where he said the U.S. refusal to stop the punishing duties and return some $5 billion already collected is "nonsense" and "a breach of faith."
A panel under the North American Free Trade Agreement ruled in August that Canadian lumber doesn't pose a threat to American producers.
U.S. companies argue softwood from north of the border is unfairly subsidized and dumped on the American market at a low price.
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didn't one of the biggest canadian lumber firms (macmillan bloedel) get bought by american CO. weyerhaeuser?
it's almost like the american government crippled the canadian lumber industry so that it can buy it out and own it.
