Why don't you actually present both sides of the argument before you even ask?
RetiredUSN and Yes_Minister:
Here you go:
US demands against Canada in the NAFTA negotiations are as follows:
Low Prices of Canadian Softwood Lumber. The U.S. argues that Canadian stumpage fees charged by provincial governments or the Federal government for cutting on crown lands are too low, even though they are in line with similar types of fees in the USA.
Canadian Energy Production Foreign Ownership Restrictions. The U.S. objects to ownership limits in the oil industry and the role of government owned utilities in the electrical energy sectors of the Canadian economy.
Section 19 of the NAFTA Agreement. The U.S. wants this dispute resolution mechanism scrapped or changed to favour U.S. interests rather than being an impartial mechanism for dispute resolution.
Restrictions on U.S. Seed Exports. Canada limits imports to varieties that have been registered in Canada, and the U.S. says the registration system is slow and cumbersome.
Cheese Compositional Standards. The U.S. says the Canadian rules reduce Canada’s demand for U.S. dry milk protein concentrate. Hormone and antibiotic issues make these dry milk products unsuitable for Canadian markets.
Agricultural Supply Management. The U.S. says Canada’s regime severely limits the ability of U.S. farmers to sell into Canada. Unlabelled GMO crops and pesticide-use restrictions are cited by Canada as reasons for keeping these products at a disadvantage.
Special Milk Classes. The U.S. alleges Canada’s Special Milk Class Permit Programme sets up prices that undercut and displace those of similar products from the U.S. Canada argues that US reliance on hormones and antibiotics in milk production makes those products unsuitable for Canadian consumption.
Restrictions on U.S. Grain Exports. The U.S. believes Canadian policies limit the ability of U.S. exporters to receive a premium grade for their products. U.S. farmers say this means their grain can only be sold in Canada as animal feed.
The Personal Duty Exemption. Most Canadians are aware that they can only buy so much stuff duty free while on vacation outside the country: $200 after trips of more than 24 hours, and $800 for trips of more than 48 hours. The U.S. says this is less generous than its own duty-free exemptions.
De Minimis Threshold. The U.S. says that at $20, Canada has the lowest threshold for which no duty or tax is charged on imported items. In the U.S., the threshold is $800.
Wine, Beer and Spirits: The U.S. says Canada’s various alcohol retailing policies stop Canadians from buying U.S. booze. The U.S. has challenged B.C.’s provincial retailing rules under the WTO. The U.S. also says it’s studying the trade implications of Ontario’s move to let grocery stores sell wine. The U.S. is also looking at Quebec’s policies.
Aerospace Sector Support. The report takes note of loans and other assistance that Canada and Quebec have made to Bombardier, particularly for the development of the C-Series aircraft. Boeing filed an official complaint with the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission seeking an anti-dumping, countervailing duties on the C-Series. However Boeing received $ 13 billion US in Federal, state and local support while Bombardier received about $ 2.5 billion Can.
Government Procurement. The U.S. says NAFTA and the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement should enable U.S. businesses to bid on most federal and provincial contracts. The report also notes that Hydro-Quebec has a local content requirement for some green energy projects, and says these pose hurdles for U.S. companies working in Canada’s renewable energy sector.
Intellectual Property Rights Protection. The U.S. flags this as a “continuing priority.” The U.S. welcomed a recent Canadian move to extend protection on some sound recordings to 70 years from 50 years, but the U.S. says it still has concerns on Canadian law regarding pharmaceuticals. The U.S. is also concerned about the “due process and transparency” of the geographical indications or point-of-origin labelling system in Canada. The U.S. adds it’s also concerned that Canadian law doesn’t allow for the inspection of possible counterfeit goods from overseas that may be passing through Canada on their way to the U.S.
Telecommunications. The U.S. describes Canada’s 46.7 per cent foreign ownership limit on Canadian telecom companies as “one of the most restrictive regimes among developed countries.”
Continued next post.
