:: rawblogXport ::

:: Friday, August 13, 2004 ::

U.S. told to refigure tariffs on lumber Washington Times, DC
Softwood lumber, from pine, spruce and other trees, is a key product in home construction. In 2002, the United States imported nearly $6 billion of softwood lumber from Canada, about a third of the American market.

The complaint about anti-dumping tariffs is one of three lumber cases that Canada has brought to the WTO. Two other rulings in recent months largely have favored Canada.

The Canadian government also is pursuing the issue under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The battle between the United States and Canada over lumber has been building up steam since the expiration of their Softwood Lumber Agreement in March 2001.

Under that accord, Canada had been allowed to ship a certain amount of lumber to the United States without duties, with tariffs set for shipments beyond that level. In return, the United States agreed not to start any trade action, including the imposition of protective duties.

When the agreement expired, the United States, under pressure from domestic producers, moved quickly to impose extra duties on Canadian imports.

posted 6:05 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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