Canada’s Harper government is monitoring a possible attempt by the U.S. government to initiate what one business leader calls “protectionist” measures against Canadian ports, federal Trade Minister Ed Fast said Monday.
Fast, who also announced that Canada is close to striking a deal with China on a foreign investment agreement, was responding to complaints in the Canadian business community about recent statements by U.S. Federal Maritime Commission chairman Richard Lidinsky.
Lidinsky plans Wednesday to propose to his board a study to consider possible legislative and regulatory actions against suspected “unfair” government subsidization of Canada’s West Coast ports.
Lidinsky, responding to complaints from two U.S. senators from the state of Washington, has said he wants to consider possible unfair advantages enjoyed by Canadian and Mexican ports in the continental competition over handling of U.S.-bound containers.