BC chamber urges U.S. counterparts to help rescue NAFTA

The British Columbia chamber of commerce has written to its counterparts in all 50 U.S. states urging them to write president George W. Bush to help rescue the North American Free Trade Agreement. "NAFTA has brought a wave of economic progress unprecedented in our times, but increasing trade protectionism is putting those benefits at risk," said BC chamber of commerce president John Winter. Mr. Winter called on state chambers of commerce to urge the Bush administration to respect its obligations under NAFTA and expedite a negotiated solution to the softwood lumber dispute with Canada.

"We believe that Americans, if made aware of this issue, would want their administration to do the right thing and honor its commitments under signed agreements," Winter said. The letter notes that "immense pressure" is mounting for Canada to respond with retaliatory tariffs against certain American exports destined for Canada. "Chamber of commerce members on both sides of the border have much to lose if this vital trade agreement falls apart," Mr. Winter said. "As supporters of free trade and the benefits it brings all citizens, the British Columbia chamber of commerce would prefer to see such action avoided at all cost." "American lawmakers are being pressured by a small U.S. softwood lumber industry lobby to ignore NAFTA's decisions in their five-year trade dispute with Canada," Winter added.