The actual point is that bending to the Americans will eventually be even bad for trade. If they find a weakness and if we do not remind them that they sell as much to use as we sell to them (and they are lucky to have a country with cheap resources for them to consume right next door and send them millions of tourists every year, etc.) they will keep dragging this out with intimidation and threats...

Unfortunately, we all know Liberals have a habit of giving in and throwing in the towel (even when WTO votes in our favour)

Remember BC lumber tariffs?
Remember Sheila Copps and culture/Canadian magazines??
Remember Chretien and Afghanistan (which was ransom money to the Americans for our not going into Iraq - btw that Iraq war non-participation was such a big deal that it was news for one year and still a historical feat, a Canadian PM actually saying no to the American master!!)