Canada not ready to talk softwood, trade minister tells U.S. ambassador

[CHIMO]

OTTAWA (CP) - International Trade Minister Jim Peterson was no closer to resolving the softwood lumber stalemate after his first formal meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Canada.

"We've always said that we would seek a long-term, durable solution but would return to the table only when it's in the best interest of Canadians," Peterson said after his 40-minute meeting Tuesday with David Wilkins. The South Carolina politician was appointed in June.

"I have no sense of that," Peterson said when asked if there's any hint talks may resume. "But we will continue in the meantime to pursue all options available: litigation, retaliation and high-level advocacy.

"In other words, even if we win them, we are not entitled to a return of the deposits with interest," Peterson said.

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n092761A

So far, the Americans have collected $5 billion from Canadian lumber exporters.

"The U.S. has to do something tangible to show respect for the process," McKenna said of the free-trade deal.

"It wouldn't be right to return to the table and negotiate a formal agreement absent a tangible demonstration of respect for what Canada has accomplished in the quasi-judicial system."

McKenna said one tangible show of respect would be for the Americans to stop collecting the duties, or return them.
http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n092627A

Note: Women drive cars in Canada.

[Dez]

1. It would be nice if

Americans would pay back all that money, and start playing fair! They wont though.. Superpowers do whatever the hell they want to do.

[tuvor]

2. Imagine if we had $50 billion of US's money in our treasury right now...

Same amount per capita. That's a quarter of an Iraqi war, so far.

You think the USA wouldn't (rightly) be demanding it back and threatening us?