Pettigrew postpones Turkey and Greece trade mission

            International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew has announced that he has postponed a trade mission to Turkey and Greece in anticipation of developments on the softwood lumber dispute. The trade mission to Instanbul and Athens originally scheduled for September 11 to 14 has been put on hold until the spring of 2002.

            Canada is challenging U.S. duties on softwood lumber and has requested accelerated World Trade Organization (WTO) consultations with the United States within the next 10 days. These consultations will address U.S. countervailing duty and critical circumstance determinations that Canada feels are unfair and fail to meet WTO standards.

            “This issue is of great importance for Canada and for Canadian jobs and it requires my full attention as Minister responsible for International Trade,” said Mr. Pettigrew. “Canada will not let the future of our softwood industry fall prey to tactics that run counter to the spirit of free and fair trade.”

            On June 20, Minister Pettigrew had announced that he would lead a trade mission to explore and develop commercial opportunities in Turkey and Greece.

            “The Turkish and Greek markets are important to Canadian businesses, and our legwork to date will prove valuable when we can refocus on this mission. These destinations remain a priority and deserve our full attention,” said Minister Pettigrew. “We will examine possible dates for rescheduling the trade mission with Canadian businesses and our contacts in Turkey and Greece and work toward developing the significant opportunities that exist in those markets.”