OTTAWA, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Canada's prime minister says the United States' refusal to comply with a trade agreement ruling will end up hurting U.S. residents.
Prime Minister Paul Martin spoke Friday about U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber after a ceremonial opening of a border crossing between Maine and Quebec, The Tornoto Globe and Mail reports.
Martin explained his position in a brief and frank phone conversation with President Bush. Neither leader change his position.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush wants to go back to the negotiating table to find a lasting solution.
A spokesperson for Martin insisted that the negotiations happened when the two countries, along with Mexico, approved the North American Free Trade Area.
A NAFTA panel ruled that U.S. tariffs on the lumber violated the agreement, but the United States hasn't made a move to comply.
Martin said there are a number of next steps he is considering, including taking the case to U.S. courts and refusing to trade other products, such as oil, with the United States.
