ITC RULING PAVES WAY FOR DUTIES AGAINST CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER IMPORTS

ITC RULING PAVES WAY FOR DUTIES AGAINST CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER IMPORTS    A decision Wednesday by the U.S. International Trade Commission is expected to result in the Commerce Department issuing countervailing and antidumping duties of as much as 27 percent on U.S. imports of softwood lumber from Canada.
   The ITC ruled that Canadian softwood lumber imports pose a 'threat of injury' to U.S. forest producers. ITC Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and commissioners Marcia E. Miller and Jennifer A. Hillman determined the threat of material injury.
   The Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports, an alliance of independent sawmills nationwide, in a statement urged Commerce to act immediately to implement that duty.
   “Today’s ITC ruling recognizes the imminent harm to the American workers and lumber companies from unfair trade,” said Rusty Wood, chairman of the Coalition. “Fair competition is all we seek.”
   International Mass Retail Association President Robert J. Verdisco said, however, 'this decision will only harm U.S. consumers.'
   The IMRA, which said its membership includes large U.S. home centers and lumber dealers said countervailing and antidumping duties of 27 percent on Canadian lumber imports would translate into an increase of nearly $1,500 to the price of a new home.
   'We are confident that both the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement panel will find that the United States was wrong in its decision to impose duties on Canadian softwood lumber and encourage Canada to follow through on the cases,' Verdisco said.
   The ITC's public report, “Softwood Lumber from Canada,” (USITC Publication 3509) will contain the views of the commission and information developed during investigations preceding the ruling. The report will be available to the public after June 6 by calling the ITC’s office of the secretary, (202) 205-1809.