Trump leaks about NAFTA

[grassfarmer]

Seems that softwood lumber and livestock trade are in the firing line for Trump's renegotiation of NAFTA. Oh joy, a closed border or enhanced COOL is all that we are needing right now.

[URL="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-businesses-seek-clarity-on-trumps-trade-policies/article32869000/"]http://http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-businesses-seek-clarity-on-trumps-trade-policies/article32869000/[/URL]

[Blaithin]

Didn't they just - finally - remove COOL? Not that I doubt Trump would reinstate it!

[kato]

Spitting bullets right now. Iknew it. I knew it. I bet RCALF has been sitting outside his door in the hallway since before election day.

Words can't describe what's going through my mind right now. Anyone who has any support for those Trumpster A Holes should be ashamed. When I think about all the time and money spent by Canadian livestock producers to get rid of MCOOL it just makes me sick.

This is something we need to be proactive on. Everyone needs to email their MP and Ag ministers now. Cc The prime minister and media too.The first time he talks with Trump it needs to be addressed.

Now. Not tomorrow.

[15444]

Nothing wrong with reinstating COOL, as long as the US withdraws from WTO, which they likely will. Now if Canada had balls, they would counter that gas and oil is on the table, but you know that won't happen. We have a puppy for PM, and after Trump beats him with a stick, he'll still wag his tail and smile. Canada picked a ***** for a PM rather than staying with a man that was tried and true and wasn't afraid to say what he thought. #MadeyourbedofshitnowsleepinitCanada

[kato]

Please explain how the wto affects cool?

[grassfarmer]

WTO affects COOL kato because that was the body the appeals were heard/ruled by. If Trump walks out of WTO it would have no power to force the US to comply with trade regulations regarding COOL.

15444 that's nonsense - nothing to do with Trudeau being weak or a poor leader, Harper was in charge throughout the period COOL was in play and did nothing to have it removed. Absolutely nothing, wouldn't have said boo to the Americans so your allegation is totally false.

[rockpile]

15444 - how long before Trump closes the border to Canadian grain?

[kato]

Right. Had surgery to fix my broken nose, and the brain's not quite running at full speed yet. I would think leaving the WTO would be a bigger deal. Would likely take longer. We, however are an easy target. A good sound byte for the news. To divert attention from all the promises that he has no intention of fulfilling.

[15444]

WTO affects COOL kato because that was the body the appeals were heard/ruled by. If Trump walks out of WTO it would have no power to force the US to comply with trade regulations regarding COOL.

15444 that's nonsense - nothing to do with Trudeau being weak or a poor leader, Harper was in charge throughout the period COOL was in play and did nothing to have it removed. Absolutely nothing, wouldn't have said boo to the Americans so your allegation is totally false.

No, not false. COOL was removed under Harper. Their government pushed for it. Can't help if it didn't happened overnight. The checks and balance system in the US (particularly under an opposed House and Executive) and the lengthy appeals process of WTO does not allow for changes on a whim just because you think it should happen that way. It was the Harper government that imposed a list of products (under WTO approval) which were to be tariffed if COOL was allowed to continue. That list was what put a fire under America's ass to repeal COOL.

I am all for COOL, it is a powerful marketing tool. A lot a of US ranchers are for it too. All we want is to rip up NAFTA so we can throw the Mexicans out and focus on Canada/US product. Most normal (non-RCALF) US ranchers have no problem with Canadian beef, but they do have a big problem with Mexican beef.

[15444]

15444 - how long before Trump closes the border to Canadian grain?

No idea. Not a grain guy, so not my fight. But I get a kick out of people who think it is a right to export their product to the US. It is a privilege, period. Don't care if it's cattle, grain, lumber, cars or oil.

#Nooneowesyoualiving

[grassfarmer]

No, not false. COOL was removed under Harper. Their government pushed for it.

Yeah, like pushing their way out of a wet paper bag. There were no big speeches threatening to cut off the oil or gas supply so no change from what you are accusing Trudeau of.

All we want is to rip up NAFTA so we can throw the Mexicans out and focus on Canada/US product....

Speak for yourself, I'd rather throw the Americans out and ally with Mexico. I want no part in this administrations racist, protectionist agenda. Besides they have already indicated that they are targeting Canadian livestock exports.

[15444]

Yeah, like pushing their way out of a wet paper bag. There were no big speeches threatening to cut off the oil or gas supply so no change from what you are accusing Trudeau of.



Speak for yourself, I'd rather throw the Americans out and ally with Mexico. I want no part in this administrations racist, protectionist agenda. Besides they have already indicated that they are targeting Canadian livestock exports.

Can't make threats over oil while NAFTA is in place, but I expect it to be fair game if it is reopened.

I am speaking for myself. Americans + myself = we. Fear not, I will never include a arrogant socialist Scotchman in my definition of 'we'. He will always be, 'them'.

[kato]

15444, respectively, you know that we in the cattle business have learned a lot about what it's like to be on the receiving end of American politics.

We learned years ago that Americans + us does not equal We. Not by a long shot. We used to think that way but learned the hard lesson very quickly when BSE hit. Trust this. .. there are elements of every business including the grain business who would love a one way border. Its only trade agreements that put a restraint on putting those opinions into action.

We learned that agreements are only lived up to when the U.S. is benefitting. Otherwise there are professional lobbyists lined up to influence their government to disregard what they agreed to. We cattle producers know this first hand. We've fought them for years. We've spent a lot of money and a lot of energy just to get them to follow the very agreements they signed on to.

And now we are dealing with a bully. Backed up by protectionist's.

This announcement is just the beginning. We won't be the only ones targeted. The only good thing for us to hold on to now is that we finally have alternative markets. In the future, dependence on the American market is not something we will want. The more alternative markets we have, the better.

[kato]

and it's not Scotchman. It's Scotsman. And a Canadian too. Whatever our differences of opinion may be, we should stick up for our own country before sticking up for the ones who are working against us.

We're looking at a long tough few years coming at us, and need to work together.

[grassfarmer]

The only good thing for us to hold on to now is that we finally have alternative markets. In the future, dependence on the American market is not something we will want. The more alternative markets we have, the better.

Some good points kato - the problem is what we want as producers isn't necessarily what we get as long as we have one Brazilian and one American packer. Unless they decide to pursue them there are no alternative markets. Thus far they have shown no desire to pursue other markets to any extent. I guess they don't even need too when they are able to discount the live cattle they purchase.