why does america only honour treaties when they suit thier own purpose ( look at the softwood lumber dispute)?

Question

I am specifically talking about the softwood lumber dispute with canada and the us when the the us slapped a tariff on the softwood which was a contravention of the nafta agreement (according to the nafta panel) but yet he chose not to give money back that was unjustly taken.

Answer 1

My people, American Inidan's had over 535 treaties with the US, they broke every damned one of them. The US's word is no good, and others know this, why take the word of a habitual liar? We need to force the governement to honor all its treaties no matter how difficult that is, as ones word is all one really has in the long run

Answer 2

Your question is a fair one, but it is hardly a uniquely American behavior to put self-interest above principle. Specific to this case, it is done because Canadian softwood interests are not potential voters or campaign donors. Like the saying goes, "all politics is local", the only difference is that what constitutes "local" varies from situation to situation.

Answer 3

I guess America isn't the "moral compass" that the world gives it credit for. We are just people, with flaws, like everyone else.

Answer 4

Why do the majority of people do anything that suit their own purpose? Its human nature... someone could accuse you of posting this question because it suites your views.

Answer 5

Read Machiavelli.

Answer 6

$ = Power

Answer 7

That's why NAFTA should be scraped.

Answer 8

same reason other countries do that to US.

Answer 9

I think you are mistaken!!