Taking Control of the Softwood Lumber Issue...

Stardate 4443.7

CTV - Canada considers trade tariffs on U.S. exports

Recently, NAFTA ruled in favor of Canada's side on the softwood lumber issue. The US however, has taken matters into their own hands and refused to accept this ruling. Now, the Federal government is considering putting tariffs on U.S. exports in retaliation... This could of course, bloom into a massive cross-border trade war, but then maybe this is what we need. But then how long can we go on being the "underdog" in our trade relationship that is supposed to be fair and free?

U.S. Customs has collected $5 billion in duties since May 2002, when American trade officials concluded Canadian softwood imports were subsidized. Canada has claimed victory in numerous NAFTA and WTO appeals but the United States has shown no inclination to lift the duties and return the money.

I think it's time for payback. Either we invade the U.S. with military force, and a lot of beer, or we start hittign back with tariffs. Maybe we ought to turn the water off for a while...