US loses lumber trade fight with Canada

{mosads}Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Nkenge Harmon said USTR is “disappointed” by the ruling.

She said the panel had only concluded that it could not establish Canadian government involvement, and had not condoned BC practices.

“The fair pricing of timber in British Columbia is in the strong interest of the United States and we will continue to monitor this closely,” she said.

“This is good news for forestry workers in British Columbia,” said Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast. He said that the panel backed up Canada’s claim that the appearance of low-value logs from Canada was due to beetle infestation. 

Michaud blasted the ruling in a statement and called for a renegotiation of the SLA.

“Sawmills and lumber retailers in Maine are already struggling to keep their doors open, and this decision provides them no relief. It’s clear that we need to revisit the Softwood Lumber Agreement to make sure that it adequately protects U.S. businesses and workers from unfair trade practices,” he said.