Softwood Agreement Getting Closer?

[fellowtraveller]

From a Chinese paper of all places

"Meanwhile, Bush indicated on Tuesday that he wants to show Canada that the U.S. "genuinely cares" by working to resolve issues such as softwood lumber. "

I doubt that there wil be anything announced about an actual resolution at the summit. Another source indicated that the outcome from the summit would likely be the appointment of a high level rep from each side with the specific task of banging out something, and soon - and reporting directly to Bush and Harper.. It seems to me that this will work, but Canadians cannot reasonably expect to see a 100%, take-no-prisoners win for Canada.

[Hicksey]

From what I have heard in the news its just a bunch a bunch of lipservice about wanting to get it done from the leaders and nothing substantive is on the horizon as the major stumbling block is still the return of the illegal tariffs charged on Canadian softwood.

[Hollus]

Who are we negotiating for in this dispute? Emmerson is in a clear conflict of interest here, but no one seems to care. His former employer [Canfor] has just acquired New South Companies Inc. giving it a profitable U.S. timber producer, which is also an opponent of the Canadian industry in the softwood lumber dispute.

IMO this dispute is only serving to consolidate the industry into the most powerful conglomerates. Tariffs still stand for smaller companies while the big fish play both sides unaffected.

[margrace]

Who are we negotiating for in this dispute? Emmerson is in a clear conflict of interest here, but no one seems to care. His former employer [Canfor] has just acquired New South Companies Inc. giving it a profitable U.S. timber producer, which is also an opponent of the Canadian industry in the softwood lumber dispute.

IMO this dispute is only serving to consolidate the industry into the most powerful conglomerates. Tariffs still stand for smaller companies while the big fish play both sides unaffected.

What the heck are you all talking about, we have a soft wood settlement, all Bush has to do is honour it.

[Black Dog]

The only thing left to resolve is whether we get the $5.2 billion they owe us in cash or cheque.

[geoffrey]

Not exactly. There has been a WTO ruling in the past saying Canadians subsidize their industry through artifically low stumpage fees. The American arugment does have some value.

[GostHacked]

This dispute has been going on for years. I do not see a solution on this any time soon. Even with the WTO ruling in favour for Canada on several occassions nothing is resolved.

Wait about 3 more years. MAYBE we will see something on it.

[kanyon]

With the mid term elections coming in November, we won't see any movement except lip service till the spring of 2007..maybe. By then we maybe in an early election ourselves so we wait again.