' NAFTA Rules Against U.S. Lumber Subsidies
Wed Sep 1, 5:30 PM ET
By LESLIE MILLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - For the third time, a North American Free Trade
Agreement panel has ruled that the United States failed to prove its
softwood lumber industry is harmed by Canadian imports.
In the decision late Tuesday, the five-member NAFTA panel directed the
U.S. International Trade Commission to rescind its justification for the
average 27.2 percent tariffs on Canadian lumber since May 2002.
The panel said the ITC had presented no new evidence to support earlier
rejected evidence that Canadian imports harmed U.S. producers. The
commission "is simply unwilling to accept this panel's review authority,"
the NAFTA panel said.
The National Association of Home Builders applauded the ruling, calling
it a victory for American homebuyers squeezed by lumber prices nearing
record levels. The home builders group called on the Bush administration
not to appeal the ruling.
Softwood lumber from pine, spruce and fir trees is used to build homes.
In 2002, the United States imported about a third of its supply — nearly
$6 billion — from Canada.
That year, the Bush administration slapped stiff duties on softwood
imports from four Canadian provinces.
The Commerce Department (news - web sites) in June proposed cutting
the duties, which include antidumping and punitive tariffs, to 13.2
percent.
Christopher Padilla, a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative,
said the administration has concerns about the ruling and has not
decided how to proceed.
"It's in the interest of both the United States and Canada to try to reach
a permanent solution to the softwood lumber dispute," Padilla said. '
story.news.yahoo.com
Yeah you'd think so, wouldn't ya mister Padilla ...... you've got 'concerns', lol, you've got crooks running Washington, that's what you've got |
