The US can't "risk" importing that one other cow while Japan is playing that game.
Chretien, through all the childish insults and slights in disagreeing with US policy to pander to the big guys in the EU
and the familial French oil interests, made sure that Bush isn't going to be exigent about returning calls AND going out
of his way to attempt pressure Japan.
Besides, as the Western Canadians pointed out, they didn't vote for Chretien, and if the West suffers, TS for them (or would that be TM?).