Trade Sanctions against the US

[SASH]

OTTAWA (CP) - Canada is slapping millions of dollars worth of sanctions on U.S. imports in retaliation for a lingering trade irritant.

The announcement of a 15 per cent surtax on cigarettes, oysters and live swine from the United States came Thursday, just as the European Union took similar measures.

Canada is joining countries from around the world protesting a U.S. trade measure known as the Byrd amendment, which the World Trade Organization has deemed illegal.

The Byrd amendment allows American companies to keep the proceeds that Washington collects in anti-dumping disputes - something Canada and other countries complain unfairly enriches their U.S. rival firms.

"For the last four years, Canada and a number of other countries have repeatedly urged the United States to repeal the Byrd amendment," Trade Minister Jim Peterson said in a statement Thursday.

"Retaliation is not our preferred option, but it is a necessary action. International trade rules must be respected."

The highly unusual Canadian sanctions, which also cover certain types of fish, are to take effect May 1.

The EU says it will slap duties of up to 15 per cent, also on May 1, on such U.S. imports as paper, textiles, machinery and farm produce.

The 25-member EU said it took that action "in light of the continuing failure of the United States to bring its legislation in conformity with its international obligations."

Both Canada and the EU have long asked Washington to repeal the three-year-old Byrd amendment.

Last November, the WTO gave Canada and the other co-complainants the authority to retaliate.

The other countries involved include Mexico, Japan, India and Brazil.

"As large trading nations, let us not forget that the world is watching," said Peterson.

"We must send a clear message by way of our actions."

[dalek]

Live swine? Are there really enough coming north to bother with?


Subject: Good old fable
Three Little Pigs went out to dinner one night. The waiter came and took
their drink order.
"I would like a Sprite," said the first little piggy.
"I would like a Coke," said the second little piggy.
"I want beer, lots and lots of beer," said the third little piggy.
The drinks were brought out and the waiter took their orders for dinner.
"I want a nice big steak," said the first piggy.
"I would like the salad plate," said the second piggy. "I want beer, lots
and lots of b eer," said the third little piggy.
The meals were brought out and a while later the waiter approached the table
and asked if the piggies would like any dessert.
"I want a banana split," said the first piggy.
"I want a root beer float," said the second piggy.
"I want beer, lots and lots of beer," exclaimed the third little piggy.
"Pardon me for asking," said the waiter to the third little piggy, ! "but
why have you only ordered beer all evening?"
The third piggy says -
"Well, somebody has to go 'Wee, wee, wee, all the way home!"

[plowjockey]

I think it might be time to slap a 15% surcharge on the huge energy like natural gas that the are buying from us! Why toy with them? They like to punish us unfairly!

[cowman]

It is unfortunate that the US under George Bush continues to support protectionist trade policy rather than really solve the trade problems by doing something with the American dollar?
A guy was telling me the other day that agricultural land prices in Illinois are in that $4500/acre(US dollars) and older investors are buying up land and crop share renting it for 75%/25%...with the 75% going to the landowner and 25% to the farmer! The farmer makes his money on the subsidies(and even some of those are shared!)!
It seems to me the US wasn't so protectionist under Clinton and the American economy was doing a lot better? Of course Clinton wasn't fighting wars all over the world either.

[madcow]

I ageree, slap the sanctions/ duties /surcharges , to them, natural gas, electricity, any raw commodity.The next beef they get from us better be sealed on a tray and value added here. If it's on the hoof it better be top dollar breeding stock.We may as well play the game the same way they do