United States agriculture secretary Dan Glickman says Canada can expect more anti-Canadian blockades at the border, despite the imminent announcement of a new Ottawa-Washington “early warning” committee aimed at heading off disputes.
He told a news conference last week in Ottawa that Washington officials play a role in trying to keep state governments from erecting trade barriers.
The most recent example was a call to North Dakota’s governor to argue against approving a bill requiring testing of Canadian imports for traces of banned residues. The governor vetoed the bill.
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“We are engaged with state legislatures and state governors as they act in ways that could be inconsistent with international rules and requirements,” said Glickman. “I would add I do think these legislative actions or attempts probably will continue.”
He said it is important that Canada and the U.S. find ways to reduce trade disputes.
“The governors of the states must see continued progress on these issues,” said Glickman. “Otherwise, we might see more of these actions forthcoming.”
Canadian agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief said Ottawa expects Washington to intervene when rogue states try to block international trade.
“We do expect them, as they expect us as a federal government, to do all they possibly can to ensure that any actions taken by anyone in (the) country, or in their case in state action, to follow international law,” said Vanclief.
Then, he promoted the fact that trade is increasing and last year, more than 50,000 head of stocker cattle came north to Canada from the U.S. And American grain has been moving over Canadian rail lines.
“There is a lot of very good stuff happening,” he said.
Vanclief promoted the fact that Canada and the U.S. would soon announce a consultative committee that will receive early warning about brewing crises and try to defuse them.
“That consultative committee will play a major role in seeing what is happening,” he said.
Agreed to in principle last December, the committee could be announced later this week.
