October 28,2005

Baucus Urges Negotiations to Reach Durable Resolution to Lumber Dispute

Senator Reacts to Today’s Commerce Department Decision

(WASHINGTON, DC) – U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following response to today’s Commerce Department decision to seek further clarification from a NAFTA panel regarding duties on subsidized Canadian softwood lumber imports. Earlier this month, a NAFTA panel ordered the Commerce Department to recalculate these duties.

“Today’s decision by the Commerce Department provides an additional window for both sides to return to the negotiating table and craft a durable resolution to this longstanding dispute. Until both sides agree to a solution that addresses distortions in Canada’s market, this dispute will continue indefinitely.
“Continued litigation is in the interest of no party. Montana’s industry deserves the certainty provided by a negotiated settlement.”