- Reaction score
- 1,710
- Points
- 1,160
Have to wonder if the US will actually do this, and will we respond as suggested?
C B C . C A N e w s - F u l l S t o r y :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Softwood dispute could prompt trade war: B.C. minister
Last Updated Mon, 15 Nov 2004 18:41:59 EST
VANCOUVER - B.C.'s forests minister has blasted the latest U.S. move in the softwood lumber fight, warning that it could lead to an all-out trade war.
Montana Senator Max Baucus plans to introduce a bill as early as Tuesday that will allow U.S. lumber companies to keep an estimated $3.6 billion in duties paid on Canadian imports.
B.C. Forests Minister Mike de Jong said Monday that if Baucus's bill passes, Canada will be forced to retaliate.
He said he has talked with his federal counterparts about countermoves, including possibly stopping energy exports to the United States.
"You can't steal $4 billion from a country and not expect that there would be repercussions," he said.
RELATED
* Coverage from CBC British Columbia>
"The U.S. and their legislators should think very carefully before embracing what is to my mind an indefensible and irrational proposition."
The U.S. said Canadian provinces subsidized lumber exports, and imposed a 27 per cent duty in 2002.
The World Trade Organization and a ruling under the North American Free Trade Agreement both concluded that U.S. complaints about Canadian lumber imports are not valid.
FROM AUG. 31, 2004: NAFTA rejects U.S. softwood claims
Thousands of jobs and millions of dollars have been lost because of the duties.
Baucus introduced the bill because he feels Canada won't negotiate about the lumber dispute, an aide said.
Written by CBC News Online staff
Copyright ©2004 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved
C B C . C A N e w s - F u l l S t o r y :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Softwood dispute could prompt trade war: B.C. minister
Last Updated Mon, 15 Nov 2004 18:41:59 EST
VANCOUVER - B.C.'s forests minister has blasted the latest U.S. move in the softwood lumber fight, warning that it could lead to an all-out trade war.
Montana Senator Max Baucus plans to introduce a bill as early as Tuesday that will allow U.S. lumber companies to keep an estimated $3.6 billion in duties paid on Canadian imports.
B.C. Forests Minister Mike de Jong said Monday that if Baucus's bill passes, Canada will be forced to retaliate.
He said he has talked with his federal counterparts about countermoves, including possibly stopping energy exports to the United States.
"You can't steal $4 billion from a country and not expect that there would be repercussions," he said.
RELATED
* Coverage from CBC British Columbia>
"The U.S. and their legislators should think very carefully before embracing what is to my mind an indefensible and irrational proposition."
The U.S. said Canadian provinces subsidized lumber exports, and imposed a 27 per cent duty in 2002.
The World Trade Organization and a ruling under the North American Free Trade Agreement both concluded that U.S. complaints about Canadian lumber imports are not valid.
FROM AUG. 31, 2004: NAFTA rejects U.S. softwood claims
Thousands of jobs and millions of dollars have been lost because of the duties.
Baucus introduced the bill because he feels Canada won't negotiate about the lumber dispute, an aide said.
Written by CBC News Online staff
Copyright ©2004 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved