WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins spoke with Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez late Friday. The Secretary telephoned to inform Senator Collins of the latest developments in the US-Canadian softwood lumber dispute. Canada subsidizes its lumber industry which threatens U.S. lumber by keeping Canadian lumber at artificially low prices. Today, the Department of Commerce responded to a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) panel review of subsidy calculations in the softwood lumber case. As Secretary Gutierrez explained, the Commerce Department has filed motions requesting clarifications of the panel's October 5th decision and has also requested an extension of time to respond to this decision.
"I am satisfied that this decision by the Department of Commerce will keep current cash deposit rates in effect. However, a negotiated settlement to this ongoing dispute will provide a resolution to the dispute which is in the best interest of both the U.S. and Canada," Senator Collins said.
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