The general preferential tariff was a foreign aid program from 1974, aimed at providing developing economies with better access to industrialized countries. It hasn't been changed in 40 years. With the changes in the last budget, 72 or 74 countries will be taken off the list. We've been supportive of doing that, from the rationale of it being a foreign aid program. If some of these countries are now bigger economies than ours, there's no point in giving them foreign aid.
The point I made earlier this morning in another committee was that some associations, some other industry sectors, are also advocating the elimination of tariffs just with the narrow view of what that means for consumers. I think we also need to look at how.... If we start eliminating tariffs on everything and other countries don't do it, we're going to lose some negotiating power when it comes time to negotiate free trade agreements. Why would a country negotiate something with Canada if it has access to pretty much everything?
I'm not sure how it would affect the export of resources, because right now there is a demand. There is demand for cheaper sources of energy. I don't think the U.S. producers, for example, need free trade agreements, because they do have a good model.
That being said, as I said, price is really volatile in this business. I think free trade agreements may be some.... They are certainly a political tool to get country-to-country trust and further trade. In that sense, I would say they are a good thing.