Saskatchewan exporters are waiting to see how Canada’s stance on the war in Iraq might affect them.
Gerry Adamson, vice-president of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, said members are concerned about backlash from Canada’s refusal to support the United States, even though there has been no immediate negative impact.
“Most of our companies … are reporting the view from the American side was sort of one of confusion, but they weren’t experiencing any feelings of anger,” Adamson said.
STEP did a telephone survey at the start of the war to gauge opinion.
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“We’ll see how that unfolds,” he told the recent Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists conference.
Deputy agriculture minister Gord Nystuen agreed it was too soon to tell if there would be any effects.
In recent discussions with Americans, he said it was clear to him that “Americans know Canada is divided on this issue.”
But he noted that Iraq is an important pulse market for Saskatchewan producers. He said the impact could be felt during reconstruction of that country.
“(We) should not be so confident to think … we’re going to get close to the front of the line in maintaining our clients and customers,” Nystuen said.
Exporters also have to look ahead at what a new government in Iraq will mean in terms of trading relationships, he added.
