Bush, Martin talk softwood lumber

[Thanato]

Martin, Bush talk softwood lumber

In what he called a "cordial but very frank" conversation, Prime Minister Paul Martin discussed the trade dispute over softwood lumber with U.S. President George W. Bush Friday morning.

About 15 minutes of the 20-minute phone call focused on the softwood issue and the failure by the U.S. to respect a number of NAFTA rulings in Canada's favour.

Canada wants Washington to drop duties and tariffs on Canadian softwood and return $5 billion that's already been collected. Canada has launched an appeal in an American court to order the U.S. to comply with the rulings.

"We intend to pursue all opportunities, including going to the courts in the U.S.," said Martin.

The prime minister, who brought up the issue last week in a high-profile speech in New York, said he'll continue to drive home the point to the business community and to average Americans.

"Not respecting NAFTA is not in the interest of Americans, it's only in the interest of certain specific, domestic groups."

Martin told Bush he feels it's a shame to have to take the U.S. government to court in its own country.

Bush "believes the way forward has to have both sides reach an agreement by way of negotiations," Martin's spokesperson Melanie Gruer said.

"The prime minister emphasized that it makes little sense to negotiate a victory that we've already won."

While Bush didn't budge from his government's position, he did tell Martin he's been hearing a lot about NAFTA and softwood lately.

Martin postponed a discussion of the thorny issue during a mid-September phone conversation with Bush, days after hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Source

~Thanato

[Conspiracy]

some reason i have a feeling we wont get that 5 billion back.

[__Kratos__]

Bush "believes the way forward has to have both sides reach an agreement by way of negotiations," Martin's spokesperson Melanie Gruer said.

what?

NAFTA - North American FREE Trade Agreement

America agreed on it's terms, so now when it gets shafted they throw up a fight. Blah. I'm not a fan of NAFTA but if we agreeded to it, we'd just better follow it.

[Thanato]

what?

NAFTA - North American FREE Trade Agreement

America agreed on it's terms, so now when it gets shafted they throw up a fight. Blah. I'm not a fan of NAFTA but if we agreeded to it, we'd just better follow it.

Wait im confused, did you just say, err never mind. Finaly Your on the light side of the force lol j/k

~Thanato

[__Kratos__]

Wait im confused, did you just say, err never mind. Finaly Your on the light side of the force lol j/k

~Thanato

I stated that on your last softwood lumber thread as well.

I personally think NAFTA should be dropped for all. But America did agree to it and now it's not as sweet as a deal as first thought so they wiggle.