David Wilkins
David Wilkins
David Horton Wilkinsis an American attorney and a former U. S. Ambassador to Canada during the administration of President George W. Bush. Prior to the appointment, he practiced law for 30 years while serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives for 25 of those years. He was speaker of the South Carolina House for 11 years. Wilkins presently chairs the public policy and international law practice department of a large South Carolina law firm...
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth12 October 1946
appreciate legitimate past position recent six understand
I understand and appreciate Canada's position on softwood lumber. You have made legitimate points. I am very encouraged, as you should be, by recent developments in the past six weeks.
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I would submit to you that showing of good faith is there. It doesn't get any clearer than that -- the commerce department's recent decision to slash the tariffs, to render a decision that would result in the elimination of tariffs probably as early as January.
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I understand fully Quebec's position, Canada's position and frustration on this issue of softwood lumber. You have valid points,
position simply territory
I simply restated our position on the 12-mile territory limit. Period.
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Emotional press conferences are not going to settle the issue. Canada needs to come back to the table. We need to close the door, roll up our sleeves and negotiate as need be, with good faith, and bring finality to it.
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When it comes to global consciousness, the United States is walking the walk. And when it comes to climate change, we are making significant progress, more progress than many of those who have been most critical of us.
country mine neither nor process relief
If we don't (start negotiating) neither your country nor mine will get any relief from this litigious process that has been going on well over two decades.
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We're committed to making sure that our borders are secure and our country is safe. Will there be other deportations in the future? I'd be surprised if there's not.
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To get that off the table ... is very positive and gives us a lot of momentum to work together in the future.
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We are entering a positive, productive stage in our relationship. There is definitely a positive momentum affecting our relationship.
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The aid pouring from all across Canada has been truly overwhelming, ... Many countries are offering help, nobody more so than Canada ... You're at the top of the list and for that we will always be very grateful.
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Talk of trade wars and retaliation make good copy but they don't make good sense in my opinion. Friends negotiate, they don't retaliate.
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When we are facing what appears to be more and more the worst natural disaster in our country's history, many of these other issues we have been discussing suddenly pale in comparison.
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I think the president and the prime minister played a major leadership role, and leadership matters. I think they deserve the credit for this.