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| Softwood key grievance in current U.S. bashing |
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2006/1/6
U.S.-bashing traditionally rises during elections and this federal campaign has so far produced even more than usual.
Liberal leader Paul Martin has exchanged barbs with the U.S. ambassador. He has also attempted to paint the Liberals as the only party that can be counted on to preserve Canada’s distinctness, especially its public health system.
This round comes on the heels of Canada’s decision to stay out of the Iraq war and the Martin government’s refusal to participate in the continental missile defence plan. And it’s a time of heightened differences between the nations on a range of other fronts.
The legalization of gay marriage, vows to tighten gun control, and the softer approach to marijuana use and hard drug abuse all raise eyebrows south of the border.
Is the campaign rhetoric out of control to the point of gratuitously offending our neighbour and ally?
Simon Fraser University public policy professor Doug McArthur says Americans have grown to accept both campaign performances and the idea that we’re on a different path on many issues. What’s different this time, he said, is the U.S. flat-out refusal to obey international trade rulings to end tariffs on Canada’s softwood lumber.
“That has led to a high level of frustration,” McArthur said. “That’s the main reason why we’ve seen an elevation in the heightened language about the U.S.”
The softwood dispute goes to the heart of the relationship and whether the U.S. will honour a binding trade agreement, he said. “There’s a real feeling that if we don’t stand up on this one now what is going to be the future of the relationship?”
All three national leaders are taking aim at the Americans over softwood, and McArthur said Martin has “shown real passion” on the issue �“ distancing himself from former PM Jean Chretien’s record.
Conservative leader Stephen Harper also vows to take a tougher line with the Americans on the issue �“ but more politely. The NDP’s Jack Layton, meanwhile, has gone farthest, saying he’d impose an export tax on southbound oil and gas to recover the billions in softwood duties collected by the U.S.
“He’s the only one actually proposing to do something,” McArthur noted.
There’s plenty at stake if the clouds over the 49th parallel darken further. Around $2 billion in trade crosses the border every day, underpinning much of the Canadian economy.
Truckers and businesses that depend on that flow could be hammered if the U.S. tightens border security in the name of keeping out terrorists.
“We’re becoming a major entry point for goods coming into Canada and the U.S.,” McArthur said. “People talk about Windsor and Detroit, but this is the second biggest movement of goods across the border here.”
U.S. plans to require passports or other secure ID to cross the border could have big implications for people and businesses on both sides.
It all could add pressure for Canada to agree to more closely consider a common security perimeter around North America, allowing unimpeded access and commerce within. That would heighten fears it’s a step on the road to a currency union, trade harmonization and a merging of other government policies.
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| Source:http://www.tricitynews.com |
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