"Not really, given that we buy anywhere from 70 to 80% of _all_ Canadian exports (a total figure that dwarfs the softwood figures), and the larger fact that we purchase the lion's share of global exports - period, from every country."
So I think your argument is that because we buy so much from overseas relative to how much we sell then we can have tarrifs without fear of retaliation.
I don't have a good answer right away. It does not feel right to me though... for one thing it's against my principles of free trade. Now if Canada was an anti-democratic threat that tramples human rights then maybe I wouldn't mind.... like if we did it to china instead.
Also, the cost is passed along to consumer.
But anyway, thanks for that reply..it made me rethink.
"So I think your argument is that because we buy so much from overseas relative to how much we sell then we can have tarrifs without fear of retaliation."
My argument is that just because we impose fines on a percentage of trade with a given country does not mean we cannot thus claim to be advocates of free trade. The fact is that trade with Canada has boomed over the past decade+, with the United States consuming all but a minority of Canadian exports. Our markets are incredibly open to their goods, and compared to most other nations our barriers/fees on exports from other nations are small.