Wyden Statement on USTR Standing Up For Oregon Lumber Against Unfair Trade Practices
Urges Immediate Arbitration With Canada If Resolution Cannot Be Agreed To
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement today regarding the United States Trade Representative’s announcement that it is beginning formal consultations with Canada over a de facto subsidy that British Columbia provides to its lumber producers in violation of the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement. Senator Wyden is the chair of the Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on International Trade.
“The flood of subsidized Canadian lumber into the U.S. market is hurting the lumber industry in Oregon and the state’s economic recovery. Enforcing Canada’s trade commitments must be a priority of the Obama Administration. Today’s announcement is a good step forward that I encouraged, but I will not be satisfied until Canada ends its unfair practices, voluntarily or through arbitration. If the administration does not get a result that is acceptable to Oregon producers through the consultation process, I expect the administration to continue fight for the Oregon forest products industry and seek immediate arbitration under the terms of the Softwood Lumber Agreement.”
Next Article
