Russia sanctions show Putin's 'short-sighted desperation,' Canada says
Ban covers meat, fish, milk, fruit, vegetables from Canada, the U.S., EU
CBC News Posted: Aug 07, 2014 5:31 AM ET Last Updated: Aug 07, 2014 1:11 PM ET
Canada will not be intimidated by Russia's ban on its food imports, Industry Minister James Moore said Thursday, warning that the sanctions will hurt Russian consumers more than Canadians.
"We will certainly look at the impact of these sanctions on the Canadian economy, but they will in no way cause us to have any hesitation in the principled position we've taken in opposing [Russian President] Vladimir Putin's regime," Moore said during a news conference in Montreal.
Russia responded Thursday to fresh sanctions from Canada, the U.S. and other countries with a ban on food imports for a year. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced that the ban includes Canada, the U.S. the European Union, Australia, Norway and covers:
Meat.
Fish.
Milk and dairy products.
Fruit and vegetables.
Moore said the sanctions show the importance of expanding free trade, including the Harper government's drive toward a free-trade deal with the European Union.
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Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made similar comments in a statement Thursday, criticizing Putin's "short-sighted desperation."
"Our government will continue to put Canada's national interests first, but we cannot allow business interests alone to dictate our foreign policy," Ritz said.
Even I was surprised at his (Putin's) reaction. I have some family on the ground in Moscow, who don't quite get what this will do to food inflation. Will be interesting to see the impact coming up.

