U.S. wood lobby urges calm in aftermath of NAFTA panel remand
A North American Free Trade Agreement dispute panel remanded for the second time a ruling by U.S. International Trade Commission that found Canadian lumber imports injure U.S. lumber producers.
While the Canadian lumber industry hailed the decision, the U.S. wood lobby in Washington urged its members to stay calm.
“It is not uncommon to have cases affirmed even after three, four or even five remands,” said W.J. “Rusty” Wood, chairman of the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports, in a statement. “This ruling further narrows the issues subject to NAFTA panel review, and we remain confident that each of the panel’s concerns can and will be ultimately addressed and the threat ruling affirmed.”
The U.S. government imposed antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports in 2002.