U.S. lumber group supports litigation hold during U.S./Canadian talks

U.S. lumber group supports litigation hold during U.S./Canadian talks    The Washington-based Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports said it supports the immediate suspension of all pending and new litigation, while U.S. and Canadian government officials attempt to resolve a long-fought trade battle over Canadian softwood lumber.
   “This would permit the parties to focus their best efforts on reaching a consensual resolution to the softwood lumber issue,” said W.J. “Rusty” Wood, chairman of the coalition in a March 10 statement. “I can assure you that the coalition is willing to enter into a comprehensive litigation moratorium without delay.”
   On Tuesday, the Canadian government proposed to return to the negotiating table with its U.S. counterparts. The U.S. government and lumber trade have accused Canada of unfairly subsidizing its lumber business, allowing it to sell lumber on the American market at below fair value.
   “While the (Canadian) proposal leaves questions unanswered and there are aspects of it that we do not support as presented, it identifies a number of key issues that must be dealt with in further discussions,” Wood said. “The logical next step would be face-to-face negotiations.”