Subject: [Homestead] Homebuilders nightmare, Big Timber dream
Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2004 18:41:20 -0700
For Bush, turning National Forests over to State thieves isn't
enough---has to sweeten the pot for Big Timber by a 27.5 percent import
duty on Canadian lumber---adding $2000 to the cost of building each
house in the U.S.. Isn't he wonderful, so compassionate it makes want
to throw up.
NAFTA Rules Against U.S. Lumber Subsidies
By Leslie Miller
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - For the third time, a North American Free Trade
Agreement panel has ruled that the United States failed to prove its
softwood lumber industry is harmed by Canadian imports.
In the decision late Tuesday, the five-member NAFTA panel directed the
U.S. International Trade Commission to rescind its justification for the
average 27.2 percent tariffs on Canadian lumber since May 2002.
The panel said the ITC had presented no new evidence to support earlier
rejected evidence that Canadian imports harmed U.S. producers. The
commission "is simply unwilling to accept this panel's review
authority," the NAFTA panel said.
The National Association of Home Builders applauded the ruling, calling
it a victory for American homebuyers squeezed by lumber prices nearing
record levels. The home builders group called on the Bush administration
not to appeal the ruling.
Softwood lumber from pine, spruce and fir trees is used to build homes.
In 2002, the United States imported about a third of its supply - nearly
$6 billion - from Canada.
That year, the Bush administration slapped stiff duties on softwood
imports from four Canadian provinces.
The Commerce Department in June proposed cutting the duties, which
include antidumping and punitive tariffs, to 13.2 percent.
Christopher Padilla, a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative, said
the administration has concerns about the ruling and has not decided how
to proceed.
"It's in the interest of both the United States and Canada to try to
reach a permanent solution to the softwood lumber dispute," Padilla said.