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Canada throws Twitter shade at Trump over trade dispute

Lumber and dairy are historic points of contention for the U.S. and Canada.

 

Anastassia Gliadkovskaya

Tech

Posted on Apr 26, 2017   Updated on May 24, 2021, 4:21 pm CDT

Amid a trade dispute with President Trump, Canada has chosen to respond on Twitter by highlighting its friendly relations with Asia instead. It’s fitting—the spat began with a combative tweet from the president.

Trump began by accusing Canada of stifling the northern border’s farming economy. Tensions escalated when Trump announced Monday an initial duty of up to 24 percent on Canadian softwood lumber, with more expected later this year.

Historically, lumber and dairy have always been points of contention between the countries, leading to tariffs, trade litigation, and settlements. Yet Canada continues to emphasize just how much business is being done with the country:

People applauded Canada for “throwing shade” at President Trump.

https://twitter.com/Claudia_Abate/status/857057257871343616

International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne visited Beijing on Tuesday, saying his visit could open new markets for Canadian wood.

“This is caused by a protectionist industry in the U.S.,” Champagne said in an interview. “My answer to that is we are looking at all sorts of options to obviously support our industry.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke on the issues over the phone with Trump on Tuesday.

“On the issue of softwood lumber, the prime minister refuted the baseless allegations by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the decision to impose unfair duties,” the statement said. “The two leaders agreed on the importance of reaching a negotiated agreement, recognizing the integrated nature of the industry between Canada and the United States.”

H/T Huffington Post

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*First Published: Apr 26, 2017, 6:06 pm CDT