"The war sure as hell is on here. Some of our lumbering communities are going to look bombed out damn soon."
Has it occurred to you that there may be no solution? Has it occurred that this may be just the beginning, and not the end of unilateral actions by the Americans?
What if the Americans just decide to say "To hell with Canada, and NAFTA?" What if they tell us they don't want our wood, our oil, our gas, our power, or our water?
What then?
What will we do? Sit around for a hundred years, moaning that we were ruined by the Americans, or get off our butts and find other markets? NAFTA is open to cancellation by either party on 6 months' notice (if I recall correctly), without cause: for no reason.
Where is it written that Americans are obliged to buy our lumber, in perpetuity?
If the Americans have decided to play hardball, then all the outraged indignation in the world ain't gonna put money in your jeans.
We will have to deal with it, and rebuild export markets.
If unilateralism and protectionism becomes the policy de jour of the United States, then we had better quit whining and start finding someone who does want our products.
I repeat: it's my sincere belief that cooler heads will prevail, and that the benefits of NAFTA will be recognized and reaffirmed.
But: the old relationships may be over. If that's the case (I'll say it again) things are going to get bad - and not just in the lumber industry.
And what kind of people will we prove to be? Whiners, and criers, blaming others, or traders and movers, who rolled with the punches, and moved on to greater things?
If the Americans are presenting us with something unpalatable, we don't have to eat it: we can shove it in their face, where it belongs.
I hate to spoil the Pity Party, but it may be over. Deal with it. It's gonna be tough, but we'll get through it. Let's start acting like people with some jam.
Regards,
Jim |
