Canada PM threatens to divert oil exports to China from US - Forbes.com
Canada PM threatens to divert oil exports to China from US - Forbes.com
MONTREAL (AFX) - Canada's prime minister Paul Martin said that his country will not hesitate to sell its oil to China rather than to the US if the US authorities keep flouting trade rules.
In an interview with Quebec daily La Presse, Martin said: 'If by defending Canada, I hurt someone, too bad.'
For the first time in Canada's history, there are other options available and the country is able to ease its reliance on trade with the US, he added.
The Canadian authorities are angered by the US refusal to recognise a series of ruling in Canada's favour under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in particular a binding ruling on softwood lumber.
The US has refused to return 4 bln usd in duties it imposed on Canadian lumber products, alleging that the Canadian exports harm US industry.
Meanwhile, the White House said that US President George Bush urged today Martin for new talks on Canadian softwood lumber imports to find a 'lasting solution' to the dispute.
In a 20-minute telephone conversation, Martin 'expressed Canada's concerns about the issue of softwood lumber. The president said we should get back to the negotiating table and work to find a lasting solution,' said Bush spokesman Scott McClellan.
McClellan did not characterize Martin's response to the offer.
The last round of talks halted in mid-August when Canada walked away to protest the US approach to the issue.
MONTREAL (AFX) - Canada's prime minister Paul Martin said that his country will not hesitate to sell its oil to China rather than to the US if the US authorities keep flouting trade rules.
In an interview with Quebec daily La Presse, Martin said: 'If by defending Canada, I hurt someone, too bad.'
For the first time in Canada's history, there are other options available and the country is able to ease its reliance on trade with the US, he added.
The Canadian authorities are angered by the US refusal to recognise a series of ruling in Canada's favour under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in particular a binding ruling on softwood lumber.
The US has refused to return 4 bln usd in duties it imposed on Canadian lumber products, alleging that the Canadian exports harm US industry.
Meanwhile, the White House said that US President George Bush urged today Martin for new talks on Canadian softwood lumber imports to find a 'lasting solution' to the dispute.
In a 20-minute telephone conversation, Martin 'expressed Canada's concerns about the issue of softwood lumber. The president said we should get back to the negotiating table and work to find a lasting solution,' said Bush spokesman Scott McClellan.
McClellan did not characterize Martin's response to the offer.
The last round of talks halted in mid-August when Canada walked away to protest the US approach to the issue.
posted by Marcel at 8:10 AM
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