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Harper to press Obama on U.S. protectionism
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CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Tue. Sep. 15 2009 9:52 PM ET
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he will press the U.S. government on the so-called "Buy American" clause when he visits Washington this week, including a provision that has wreaked havoc on Canadian NHL teams.
Canada's six NHL teams have been scrambling to find alternative travel routes since it was announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation was banning Canadian charter planes from flying between two U.S. cities.
"This is a serious problem," Harper told CTV News Channel's Power Play in an exclusive interview. "This is another protectionist measure . . . and this situation will not be allowed to continue. I've been very clear."
"If Canadian companies can not do charter service in the United States, Americans will not be doing it in Canada," he added.
Harper will have an hour-long meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday.
The economy and energy are expected to be at the top of the agenda.
On Thursday, Harper will meet with congressional leaders, including Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Congress has traditionally been much more protectionist than the executive office, and Harper needs to make his case on the "Buy American" provisions there.
"When it comes to issues of trade and protectionism, often our being challenges are in Congress," Harper said. "It's critical that we resist forces of protectionism."
The prime minister said that the Obama administration has been "quite positive" in regards to Canadian overtures on the "Buy American" issue.
"But it may be a case that the (Obama) administration alone can't deal with it," Harper said.
About US$280 billion of American stimulus contracts from local and state governments for infrastructure projects cannot be given to Canadian businesses.
International Trade Minister Stockwell Day has sent the U.S. government a proposal that would exempt Canada from the provision and the issue is under negotiation.
Harper also commented on Afghanistan and praised Obama's reengagement in that country.
"They are putting an enormous amount of resources and troops into that theatre ... and frankly, they are putting a lot of them where we are, in Kandahar, in a way that is very helpful," Harper said. "We are very appreciative of that."
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper sits down with Tom Clark for an exclusive interview.
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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.
Comments are now closed for this story
Independently Minded
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Hasn't Stockwell Day been working on this for months now?
As soon as the "Buy American" clause was introduced any common sense government in Canada would oppose it.
Harper's efforts don't require applause, it's a reasonable expectation of our PM by Canadians to oppose it...
mark H.
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Hagios (Toronto)
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Andrew in Moncton
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Why is that the Liberals want the Prime Minister to focus on the United States' internal debate on health care? Rather, the Prime Minister is doing the right thing by making sure our economic interests are heard. Our trade relationship is what matters with the US, not the opinions of a minority of US politicians. Good work Prime Minister.
Yukon Al
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Peter Kavanagh
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As always , I'm sure he'll represent us well .
L:ester
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Mike
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Eyes Wide Open
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I see Ignatieff and am sooooo happy he isn't running this country, and likely never will.
I believe that the Conservatives will get their majority in the next election. I think a lot of other people are now seeing the conviction and resolve of Prime Minister Harper.
A Voice From Ottawa
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Now, thanks to the seperatists' support of the EI changes, it looks like Harper has dodged the pole again, talk about being opportunistic ...
Lunt
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Danny Dinosaur
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That has been your style and you might as well stick with it. It is what you did in other foreign visits and you have a knack for it in your domestic actions as well.
Show'em who you are. I am sure they are expecting disrespectful arrogance from you anyway.
Suzanne T (Lower Mainland)
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Don from Ottawa
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The best part is that real, average Americans probably agree!
DW
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If "Buy American" were to be temp to help the American economy get better wouldn't that benefit Canada in the long run you think? Let them do their thing to get back on their feet and stop whinny about how the NHL team will find a way to travel. It's important that all economy's succeed and I'm sure Canada is strong enough to afford a 'Buy American' policy from our brothers down south. Can't we for once... just once please get along??? It's worst then 2 8 year old brothers fighting.. jeez people
Robert
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of Obama's time. The PM of the country that is the USA's biggest trading partner, longest undefended border in the world, fighting and dying side by side in Afghanistan, America's biggest supplier of OIL, fresh water and natural gas, etc, etc, etc...and all we are good for this is 42 minutes? He should have been given carte blanche. What an insult. I would have demanded the entire day or days to thoroughly go through the entire gambit of issues and resolve them. Reminder,they still owe us $600 million on softwood lumber.
Otherwise simply shut off the oil, water and natural gas supplies and then see if you get the full day meeting?
Tono
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Bonnie
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His handshake wouldn't mean anything to me. I wouldn't trust his handshake for sure.
He ailienated China whom we should be trying to drum up business with.
He doesn't care about Canadians abroad and says other countries have human rights problems.
It was him who wrote the newspaper article when he was young about wanting Canada to joing the U.S. basically.
The U.S. isn't the big whig country to be smooshing. They can't afford a free lunch. And the only time they abide by the North Anerican Free Trade deal the Conservatives wrote up, is when it's in their interest only.
They are the only democratic country who doesn't have universal health care for their people. Talk about a human rights problem! They still think the free enterprise system works for them. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Harper came home from his world travels this year with not one business deal in hand.
(But he probably gave lots of work to someone else).
Mr. Chretien went to China years ago with business people and started the ball rolling.
Mr. Ignatief mentioned the world is going to be leaving us out when they are trading because we are so attached to the U.S. they see us as one country and he would go after trade other than with the U.S.
The rest of the world is also talking about making a new trade currency that isn't U.S., so that should be telling us something.
And if Mr. Harper thinks Mr. Oboma thinks he's 'cool', think again. It's Mr. Ignatief who has connections at the White House.
R NS
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Now Iggy is trying to destroy Canada with unwanted elections...and the PM is introducing new UI bills, squaring off with world leaders to defend Canadian rights, and not worried over a possible election....He does dot have to...He just keeps doing a good job, and the maj goverment will appear...
Raj
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Go get em Sreve.I also think Stockwell is doing well with this portfolio, and will continue doing so
Peter Kavanagh
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Oh come on . The Liberals invented demonization . Just ask Warren Kinsella , he wrote a book bragging about what he did to Stockwell Day .
Aswell the difference is that Iggy is stupid and Harper is smart and makes us look good outside the country .
Iggy will never , ever be Prime minister .
Lucky
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Canadian!
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His goal would be us to become Americans! He should be deported back to Harvard!!
Doug @ BC
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Get a grip people.these chats are necessary.In a trade war with the USA,we lose.
I opposed the FTA too.But the fact that it has poured literally billions of dollars into this country is undeniable by any objective analysis.I'm not saying it's perfect,or even that we don't get stuck with some lousy deals from our southern neighbours.And,the deal may be getting outdated.But we'll have more success if we're on friendly terms.The fact that our economu is so small compared to other markets for US exports leaves us disadvantaged.Even more so with the USA now being indebted so much to China.Both nations have work to do.
And finally,for those who want to tear up NAFTA,remember that Chretien wanted that too.But when he started cashing the cheques,he changed his mind very quickly.
Me,I could go along with tearing it up.But,not at this very moment.TO re-negotiate from a position of strenght,Canada would requre more markets to sell into.We'd also need to be responsible for our own defense and have much lower levels of debt.
Abandoning NAFTA now would cripple our economy.BUT,if we work hard,reduce debt,learn to compete,increase productivity and do something about helping defend North America,abandoning NAFTA might be an option for our children or grandchildren.If we truly want to put more distance between us and our American cousins,this generation should start the process.But it IS a job that would take time,money and commitment.Right now,we're to much in debt.
Bill
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Hagios
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Without doubt, however there is only one Prime Minister who is deserving of respect if for no other reason than for the office he holds in our society which is something that escapes the residents of Iggy's farm team.
TVic
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Maybe Harper could actually do something useful while he is down there and put in a good word with Obama on the idea of 'buy Canadian' to help Balsillie secure ownership of the Coyotes.
jackie
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how many AMERICAN airlines offer service from one Canadian city to another anyway? maybe the US has a point.
um, can't say I blame them.
Linda in Vancouver
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From my perspective,and as someone who is no big fan of the Conservatives or Mr.Harper,I remain convinced that anyone in the west who votes Liberal is close to being guilty of selling the west to Ontario.The federal Liberal Party,and the Ontario Liberal Party,are one and the same.As long as that remains to be so,then ANY leader of the federal Liberal Party will continue to abuse the west,and to deny us a say in Canada.
I am WAY more liberal than anyone in the Conservative party of Mr.Harper.But until the Liberal party supports a democratic Senate.I will always support Conservatives.People in Ontario are not the problem.It is their provincial government that is the problem.When the Liberals are the federal government,the Premier of Ontario rules ALL of Canada by manipulating the federal government.THAT threatens our way of life.
Loving my fellow Canadians in Ontario does not mean I want to live like they do.Quebecers don't have to,why should we? If we don't have the numbers,and I have to bully "Iggy" to protect the right of Albertans to be ALbertans and BCers to keep their way of life,so be it.We have been bullied by Ontario far to long.
MD
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Andy (Winnipeg)
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But the bottom line is not what Canada can do to retaliate, but what Canada should do to mitigate.
When the president and congress are trying to spend money to stimulate their economy, they are doing so because it is American citizens who vote for which if them gets elected into office, not Canadians.
If we decided to have an economic stimulus package and we most of the money was going to foreign companies for services and materials, do you not think that Canadian taxpayers would be upset???
Grow up people, and who cares about the NHL teams who have to make altrenate travel arrangements. Bunch of cry babies if you ask me, but thats a comment for another story.
Jim/Ontario
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PepperPot
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Denis
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Streel
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Adam in Ottawa
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Paul - Orillia
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What a joke. What American flight charters are there coming into Canada?? US planes are mostly schedule service.
Thanks for making us look even more stupid Harper. Get out while you can!
James from Vancouver
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V aka Layton in Moncton
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Besides its just a meeting of two liars anyway. If you take the time to look at what they have promised when campaigning and what they have delivered as (giggle)statesmen, you will find that they are both very very convincing liars.
Obama said he would vote against the Patriot Act as a Senator, then voted in favour anyway. Said he would end the war in Iraq AND close Guantanamo Bay's detention camp. And has done neither. Just 2 small examples as space is limited here.
Harper said he would have elected Senators not appointed and has appointed quite a few. Said he would not change the tax structure of income trusts, then wiped out the savings of hundreds of thousands or more Canadians when he did just that.
Liars, you know how you can tell?...their lips are moving.
Alberta Redneck
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Once and always, I have great respect for our Prime Minister. I do not agree with everything, but on margin, he has made me a proud Canadian. AND THE TORY WAR MACHINE DIDN'T PAY ME A CRYING DIME TO SAY THIS!!
Robert J in Calgary
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Elias Nasrallah
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What newspaper article are you talking about. Tell us the name of the newspaper and date of issue. Find a link to that please. That is a load of BUNK. Mr. Harper never wrote such and article......I challenge anyone to find me proof of this article....Liberals, they will do and say anything to badmouth the Conservatives.....
JFJ
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He appears to have no clue about the role of Executive.
George Bush Sr.'s reaction to the Rodney King beating is a textbook example of the how the Executive should respond.
There is an independent Judiciary in the US as in Canada.
President Obama had to apologize for comments he made relating to a racially charged incident between the police and a black university professor.
Let's see on the trade front if he does any better.
1 hour?
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James
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It is also good to see the Obama adminstration sending American Soldiers to assist Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan. There is no doubt we are close geographically, economically and good friends!
Bill in BC
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Dan Klassen
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Dan
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Sometimes the Americans should video tape there comments and take a deep breath, wait 24 hours and then sit back and watch themselves the next day. You know, like, don't write an email when your mad!
Come on....
Harper straighten Obama out man!
Harper coming down the ice HE SHOOTS! HE SCORES!