Madam Speaker, it is very apparent that countries are like people. If we want to do business with somebody it is important that we know who they are, that we understand them and that we have things in common. Australia and Britain for example, at the current time, are part of the coalition of the willing in the Iraqi question which is dominating the American political scene and also having a huge depressing impact on the level of economic activity in the U.S. Naturally the Americans are looking for a clear message from their friends, allies and trading partners. Canada's message has not been clear, therefore it confuses our trading relationship. To think otherwise would not be realistic.
I have become aware recently that the special military procurement arrangements that we have with the United States, which dates back to post-World War II, will now be shared with others. Those others happen to be Australia and the U.K. There is a direct correlation and it is not difficult to comprehend why that would occur.
All of what we do politically has consequences with our long term relationship in terms of trade. That is the point I was trying to make and I think everybody knows that some of these implications are upon us now.