[ohmygoodness]

Canada doesn't see softwood progress at summit

Mon Mar 27, 12:09 PM ET

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada doesn't expect a breakthrough in a protracted dispute with the United States over softwood lumber when leaders of the two countries meet later this week, officials said on Monday.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will hold a bilateral meeting with U.S. President
George Bush on the sidelines of a trilateral summit of Canada, the United States and Mexico in Cancun on Thursday and Friday.

A senior Canadian official said the two leaders would have an opportunity in Mexico to compare notes on the dispute.

"I don't expect, frankly, much more than that as far as I know," he told a briefing.

Last week, Canada's trade minister said Ottawa and Washington were poised to negotiate, but a final decision to begin talks would be taken by the country's leaders.

The United States, which says Canada subsidizes softwood producers, has slapped a series of duties worth $4 billion on imports of Canadian lumber. Canada denies the allegation and wants the money back.

I just want our goddamned money. The States is acting like a spoiled child on this matter, and I just can't understand how they can justify not paying us! I mean please, some of you Americans on here who sympathise with the Republican leanings, can you explain this to me at all?!