Canada turns up heat on frozen pizza
When most people think of things we export from Canada, the first things that come to mind are generally cold fronts and hockey players. Who knew that there is a long and honored tradition of trade wars between the US and Canada? Usually we're fighting about things like wheat, lumber, or livestock. This time, though, it's frozen pizza.
OTTAWA, Ontario (Reuters) -- Over the past few years Canada and the United States have argued about bilateral trade in such high-profile commodities as wheat, softwood lumber, cattle and hogs. Now it's frozen self-rising pizza.
Ottawa said on Monday it would slap provisional anti-dumping duties of 39.4 percent on imports of frozen self-rising pizzas made in, or exported from, the United States.
The duties -- imposed after a complaint by private Canadian firm McCain Foods -- will affect pizzas such as the "Delissio" brand made by U.S. food giant Kraft.
Canada's Border Services Agency, which imposed the temporary measure, said in a statement it would decide on Aug. 16 this year whether to make the penalty permanent.
There is a rumor, as yet unsubstantiated, floating around Washington that the US government will retaliate by placing a similar duty on Canadian NHL players. Of course, with the likelihood of a lockout next season, this may turn out to be merely a symbolic gesture. What the heck, most of them are overpaid anyway, eh?
