[fightinJAG]

Some Canadian org keeps running this commercial on tv about U.S. logging rules or something. Goes on about how Canada is such a great partner to the U.S., so why does the U.S. want to cause "economic hardship" on both sides of the border. Then says we should call our congresscritters to "get this relationship back on track."

Puh-leeze. Who is this org's advertising exec?

If you want to get the U.S.-Canadian trading relationship back on track with U.S. consumers, quit the stupid shyola such as displayed in this article.

[Shanty Shaker]

Summary: Punishing new tariff on Canadian lumber is a bad omen for free trade, and a hardship for American consumers

By any measurement -- but especially by the board foot -- the Bush administration's decision to whack Canada with a 19.3 percent tariff on its lumber exports to the United States is a failure in trade policy and diplomacy.

The punishing new tariff on softwood lumber -- fir, cedar and the like -- was announced Aug. 10. It's already prompted nearly 2,000 layoffs at British Columbian lumber mills, and threatens to erase as many as 30,000 jobs there. Its costs will quickly spread to American consumers, who will pay up to $1,000 more for a new home, according to the National Association of Home Builders.