Canada's U.S. Ambassador Warns Trade Rules Unravelling

Gee, could it be that some of you are going to get your wish?

My first post here said: "be very carefull of what you wish for because you just might get it". You resent the USA so much I think its time that you went it alone. Kiss that $139.3 billion trade surplus, and your economy goodbye...

What, Susan Thompson didnt warn you about that?

I'm not certain an unravelling of NAFTA will result in a complete border closure. Looks like the U.S. side would prefer WTO rules anyway, which take over (with GATT) in the event that NAFTA is cancelled. WTO rules are probably better for Canada too, softwood aside.

That is, so long as the rules can be enforced.

This is bad for average Canadians. The Liberal Party's promotion of anti-Americanism may get them votes from some kinds of Canadians, but it doesn't put food on the table. Canada may be in for a very hard lesson in being good neighbours, analogous to not screaming at your neighbour for the leaves that blew onto your lawn.

Since 2000 we have been decreasing the percentage of our trade with the US. It's now down to about 74% of our total trade. Our government has a commitment to rules based multilateral trading and sustainable development and has been promoting diversification of our trading beyond the US market. It is imperative for our well-being that we focus on trade that is fair and rules based. To do otherwise creates great uncertainty and potential dislocation within our labour and business sectors such as the example in the softwood industry. This isn't a trivial, 'leaves on the ground', matter to those affected by unfair trade practises. The less trade we do with a rogue trader, the better off we will be.

Perhaps,just perhaps this softwood lumber issue is the americans way of saying we want out of NAFTA?Just a thought.

No, it's not trivial to those directly affected. But considering the amount of trade overall, softwood lumber is only one small part.

A trade war will however vastly increase the number of people directly affected, probably not enough to get this government thrown out for incompetence because they're too entrenched for that to happen, but such mis-management will hurt a lot more people than it's hurting now. It won't spread a small pain amongst many, it will create a large pain for a lot more people.

For anyone interested go to<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.atimes.com">http://www.atimes.com</a><br />
<br />
read the 6 part series on the Coming Trade war by Henry Liu.

To suggest that any government in Canada is anti-America is ridiculous! We are not allowed any longer to exercise our sovereignty? The trade issues and lack of positive response from the U.S. Administration is akin to their response to Joe Wilson by outing his wife in the C.I.A.
Petty, vindictive and harmful.

Enough already! No hard feelings America....
If you're selling ANYTHING , you want the largest profit margin right? Well keep it up and we rediculous Canadians will find a larger profit margin elsewhere for our softwood , our oil , our Hydro electric power.

Let's deal with China , India , and Cuba for that matter.
Why do we not have a relationship with countries just because the U.S. has a problem with them? Who the hell are they to tell us anything.

Listen America , you have two options as i see it.
1. Be true to form and just invade Canada and take your pick of OUR resourses.
2. Be fair and diplomatic with your truest ally on this planet , Canada (not Britain).

I would suggest you , as Americans , elect an administration that treats its friends as such.

We can work together or we can compete , but not both it seems.

Sooner or later we as Canadians will cut off our noses to spite our faces and stop being subservient to the will of the U.S. When that becomes the case , we will both suffer.
I think this whole thing will come down to who can suffer the most without breaking. Hell , Americans are ready to jump off a bridge when the price of gas goes up a few cents.

I am one Canadian that truly hopes we can someday build a 50 foot high wall from B.C. to the Rock and force America to either come to us with 1.respect : 2.with guns : or 3.not at all. Because to date a fair deal with an American government is a myth.