U.S.
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer thinks wine should be added to the list
of issues negotiated during the North American Free Trade talks that begin this
month.
The
U.S. has taken British Columbia wine marketing policy to the World Trade
Organization, but failed to get Canadians to back down earlier this year.
The
U.S. could press ahead to call for a disputes-settling panel to be set up to
deal with its complaint that the B.C. government, when it allowed wine sales in
grocery stores, ruled that only B.C.-produced wines qualify.
The
U.S. argues that all wines ought to be included.
Lighthizer
told a congressional committee this month that "in this case it would make
more sense to negotiate and do it in a less hostile way" than continuing
to pursue it at the World Trade Organization.
The
negotiations could have implications for Ontario where the government holds a
monopoly on imported wine sales through its Liquor Control Board of Ontario
stores.
