Despite rejection, softwood deal still possible By Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver Sun
Producers won't have to wait long for the next step in the dispute -- a North American Free Trade Agreement ruling that is expected to come down today.
A NAFTA panel is expected to rule on a determination by the U.S. International Trade Agency that Canadian lumber imports had injured the U.S. industry. Under U.S. law, it is not enough to prove imports are subsidized. They must also be proven to have injured U.S. companies.
Even if the ruling is in Canada's favour, however, it will likely be remanded back to the International Trade Commission, resulting in no immediate victory, one of the reasons a negotiated settlement appeals to many companies.