Year: 1988
Type: dissertation
Abstract: his thesis is a study of the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute and attempts to determine what factors influenced its outcome.The lumber issue is a significant problem in the bilateral relationship and is of particular importance to Canada given the increasing ability of American interest groups to obtain protection for their industries.Moreover, the subsidy allegations made in the lumber case could also be applied to other natural resources.In 1982-83 Canadian softwood lumber was the subject of an American countervailing duty investigation, which determined that subsidies to Canadian lumber producers were de m i n i m u s .This study uses the interdependence framework to determine what factors contributed to Canada's success in 1983, through an examination of the documents and reports of the lumber dispute.Although the primary focus of the study is the 1981-83 period, subsequent events are reviewed and related to the analysis of the earlier stage.Robert 0 .Keohane and Joseph S. Nye have applied an interdependence framework ("complex interdependence") to the study of Canadian-American relations.I t postulates that the outcome of conflict in the relationship is related to several factors, including the multiplicity of socio-economic and political connections between the states: a lack of hierarchy among issues; and the absence of force as a tool in settling disputes.This study reveals the importance of asymmetry of i i i attention and the role of heterogeneity versus homogeneity of interests in the dispute.The limitations of the interdependence approach as applied to the lumber case include a lack of attention to the validity of each side's case; the costs that the smaller power must incur to win; and the ongoing nature of conflict in the relationship.The lumber dispute shows that Canada does have resources which it can utilize in a trade dispute, but that Canada's chances of success are greatly diminished when the U.S. decides to devote more attention to a contentious issue.....
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Sharn Tyakoff
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W49947187