- Aug 6, 2012
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Have to say, Canada has been getting away with bloody murder against American workers and businesses for 30 years. It was never Mulroney's objective to expect that the Canadian authorities would feel so threatened by NAFTA, but it is clear the Canadian system was not conducive to free markets.
Basically, the Canadian government which has always been quasi-communist with a state run economic philosophy, similar to Russia. Residing beside America helped shape some free market principles from spreading North by osmosis, but Canada has always been primarily Communist. So, when NAFTA was signed there was massive anger by Canada, because the state saw this as a threat to their marketplace. This means, so many companies which were presented as privately owned, were really shadow businesses for the government to enter and control. This was quite overt with banks, and gas companies, less so for other industries.
So, this being stated, American businesses have NEVER had a fair and free ability to pursue their Right to Self Determination on Canadian soil. Often this was exploited through tampering of HR departments, in other methods it was state grants, subsidies and regulations to deny free market competition. Of course, consumers have been hurt the most, which is why our costs of living is much higher than Americans.
The response from Trump is simple. Apply a 20% cross border tariff on all goods. Look deeper into internet and cross border access that Canadian companies enjoy. Most important, set up a free and open Whistleblower protection program that would apply to all citizens in North America to report abuses of trade.
I applaud Trump and Mr. Ross for their obligation to transparency in trade abuses. They are the first administration since the signing of NAFTA to really delve deep into how and why American business workers are being abused and exploited. As I've said 1000 times, Americans are under the false pretense that all marketplaces are free and honest like the U.S with mechanisms of accountability and legal recourse and protections in place (for example, president Trump recently signed a "Whistleblower Protection" law in the U.S), when in fact this doesn't exist in most countries, certainly not Canada.
Unfortunately, this is sad to say, but knowing what I know, a trade war with Canada is necessary if not paramount to American workers and business commitment to free and fair markets. Americans should welcome this after so many decades of covert violations.
There is some good news however, Bob Paulson, the inept, self serving bully commissioner of the RCMP is being "resigned" as of the end of June. Maybe a culture change will help change the attitude of police powers to "operate" in the corporate environment in Canada.
Canada weighing multiple trade actions against U.S. over softwood lumber dispute
The Canadian government is threatening multiple trade actions against the United States in retaliation for duties on softwood lumber, demanding a long-term deal without which several American industries could soon be targeted.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched the first salvo in a letter to B.C. Premier Christy Clark, informing her that he's seriously considering her request for a ban on thermal coal exports and that it's being explored by federal trade officials.
Clark, who is currently campaigning for another term as B.C. premier, was quick to release a statement responding to Trudeau's letter.
"I would like to thank Prime Minister Trudeau for his quick action to look at banning thermal coal exports through British Columbia and his commitment to stand up for B.C. and Canadian forest workers," she said.
The second threat: possible duties against Oregon industries. That's the home state of a Democratic senator, Ron Wyden, who has been a hardliner on the lumber dispute.
The Canadian government has found several Oregon business-assistance programs it says may constitute illegal subsidies. It's considering a process that could lead to retaliatory duties on imports from that state's products, such as plywood, flooring, wood chips, packaging material and wine.
Two government sources told The Canadian Press the threat has nothing to do with U.S. President Donald Trump; they say it's a one-off, specific action related to one dispute, and one Democratic senator in one state.
They say a long-term deal on softwood lumber would be the best way to prevent the dispute from escalating.
"We hope we don't have to act," one source told The Canadian Press, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss matters not yet made public. "We hope this dispute can be resolved."
Basically, the Canadian government which has always been quasi-communist with a state run economic philosophy, similar to Russia. Residing beside America helped shape some free market principles from spreading North by osmosis, but Canada has always been primarily Communist. So, when NAFTA was signed there was massive anger by Canada, because the state saw this as a threat to their marketplace. This means, so many companies which were presented as privately owned, were really shadow businesses for the government to enter and control. This was quite overt with banks, and gas companies, less so for other industries.
So, this being stated, American businesses have NEVER had a fair and free ability to pursue their Right to Self Determination on Canadian soil. Often this was exploited through tampering of HR departments, in other methods it was state grants, subsidies and regulations to deny free market competition. Of course, consumers have been hurt the most, which is why our costs of living is much higher than Americans.
The response from Trump is simple. Apply a 20% cross border tariff on all goods. Look deeper into internet and cross border access that Canadian companies enjoy. Most important, set up a free and open Whistleblower protection program that would apply to all citizens in North America to report abuses of trade.
I applaud Trump and Mr. Ross for their obligation to transparency in trade abuses. They are the first administration since the signing of NAFTA to really delve deep into how and why American business workers are being abused and exploited. As I've said 1000 times, Americans are under the false pretense that all marketplaces are free and honest like the U.S with mechanisms of accountability and legal recourse and protections in place (for example, president Trump recently signed a "Whistleblower Protection" law in the U.S), when in fact this doesn't exist in most countries, certainly not Canada.
Unfortunately, this is sad to say, but knowing what I know, a trade war with Canada is necessary if not paramount to American workers and business commitment to free and fair markets. Americans should welcome this after so many decades of covert violations.
There is some good news however, Bob Paulson, the inept, self serving bully commissioner of the RCMP is being "resigned" as of the end of June. Maybe a culture change will help change the attitude of police powers to "operate" in the corporate environment in Canada.
Canada weighing multiple trade actions against U.S. over softwood lumber dispute
The Canadian government is threatening multiple trade actions against the United States in retaliation for duties on softwood lumber, demanding a long-term deal without which several American industries could soon be targeted.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched the first salvo in a letter to B.C. Premier Christy Clark, informing her that he's seriously considering her request for a ban on thermal coal exports and that it's being explored by federal trade officials.
Clark, who is currently campaigning for another term as B.C. premier, was quick to release a statement responding to Trudeau's letter.
"I would like to thank Prime Minister Trudeau for his quick action to look at banning thermal coal exports through British Columbia and his commitment to stand up for B.C. and Canadian forest workers," she said.
The second threat: possible duties against Oregon industries. That's the home state of a Democratic senator, Ron Wyden, who has been a hardliner on the lumber dispute.
The Canadian government has found several Oregon business-assistance programs it says may constitute illegal subsidies. It's considering a process that could lead to retaliatory duties on imports from that state's products, such as plywood, flooring, wood chips, packaging material and wine.
Two government sources told The Canadian Press the threat has nothing to do with U.S. President Donald Trump; they say it's a one-off, specific action related to one dispute, and one Democratic senator in one state.
They say a long-term deal on softwood lumber would be the best way to prevent the dispute from escalating.
"We hope we don't have to act," one source told The Canadian Press, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss matters not yet made public. "We hope this dispute can be resolved."
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