ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland (AP) – The strained trade relationship between Canada and the United States will be on the table this week, as Canada’s eastern premiers meet with New England governors for the first time in two years.

Energy and the environment are also on the agenda for the meeting in Newfoundland between the leaders of the four Atlantic provinces, Quebec and the governors of Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

But talk of an escalating trade war between the two countries over softwood lumber was pushing trade to the top of the agenda.

Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams put his full support behind the federal government, which was talking about punitive duties against U.S. products last week.

“The rules and the regulations are there and we expect our American neighbors to abide by these rules,” Williams said Sunday.

The conference got under way with a reception Sunday evening but substantive talks were to begin today, including a session on the current Canada-U.S. trade relationship and its implications for the region.

There has been talk of an escalating trade war since Washington announced earlier this month it will ignore a NAFTA ruling on softwood lumber and continue to apply punishing U.S. tariffs to Canadian lumber shipped over the border.