Canadians give cool reception to President Bush

By Michael Tackett
Chicago Tribune

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The smiles between Bush and Martin were ready, but so too were their obvious disagreements about the U.S. importation of Canadian beef after a scare over mad-cow disease and a prolonged dispute over lumber trade.

Bush said that Martin expressed a "great deal of frustration" about the U.S. ban on live-cattle imports from Canada, and he conceded that talks did not resolve the dispute. In French, Martin characterized the talks as contentious and also expressed frustration. And, he did not mention Iraq.

The president's trip comes at a time when his popularity has plummeted in Canada to levels rarely seen for a U.S. president. Protesters angry at Bush's Iraq policy clashed with police in riot gear in normally peaceful downtown Ottawa, though the demonstrations were isolated.

For his part, the president pledged to resolve the beef trade issue while acknowledging bureaucratic delays are likely. The ban has cost Canada's beef producers an estimated $5 billion.

"I don't think Bush went expecting to get anything or to give anything," said David Biette, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. "It was more of a fence-mending exercise that we actually do like Canada."

U.S., Canada at odds President Bush and Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada were expected to discuss trade disputes overshadowing the world's largest trading partnership: Beef: The United States banned Canadian beef in 2003 after mad-cow disease was found in Alberta. Some Canadian beef from less risky young cattle are now allowed but a U.S. Department of Agriculture proposal to allow beef from older animals is under review by the White House. Lumber: The U.S. government in 2001 found Canada gave unfair subsidies to its lumber industry and imposed duties on Canadian shipments. A NAFTA panel in August said the U.S. lumber industry was not threatened. The United States is appealing. Hogs: Live hogs shipped from Canada to the United States were slapped with anti-dumping duties in October, after the Commerce Department said the shipments injured U.S. farmers. Wheat: The United States says the farmer-controlled Canadian Wheat Board has a monopoly on wheat exports that violates international trade rules. A World Trade Organization panel said it was legal but told Canada to change grain handling and shipping policies. The United State also said Canadian exports of hard red spring wheat were depressing the U.S. market, and imposed a 14 percent duty. Reuters

In a joint news conference with Martin, the president was asked about his low popularity in a country long associated with cordial ties to the United States.

"We just had a poll in our country where people decided that the foreign policy of the Bush administration ought to stay in place for four more years," Bush said, dismissing the negative sentiments.

"I'm the kind of fellow who does what I think is right, and will continue to do what I think is right. I'll consult with our friends and neighbors, but if I think it's right to remove Saddam Hussein for the security of the United States, that's the course of action I'll take. And some people don't like that; I understand that."

At the same time, the president joked about public sentiment in Canada, noting the "warm and hospitable" welcome that greeted his motorcade. "And I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave — with all five fingers," Bush said.

Given the opposition to the war in Iraq, the president focused on Canada's financial contributions — about $200 million — in humanitarian aid to Iraq.

The president is scheduled to be in Halifax, Nova Scotia, today to thank Canada for taking in hundreds of flights rerouted when planes were grounded Sept. 11, 2001.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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