US industry group the Value Added Wood Products Alliance, which represents some 390,000 jobs, has switched sides in the softwood lumber dispute.
The group, comprising lumber remanufacturers and makers of wood trusses, has asked its members to lobby the Coalition for Fair Lumber imports for a softer line towards Canada and to work towards a quick end to the dispute. The coalition is the main supporter of the 27% duties on Canadian softwood imports.
Meanwhile, talks between representatives of the two countries are continuing in Washington after US commerce department undersecretary Grant Aldonas cancelled a Japanese trip in order to continue the negotiations.
Mr Aldonas is suggesting duties are lifted as Canadian provinces transfer to a more market-based timber pricing system. Before the last talks broke off, Canada proposed a border tax which fluctuates with lumber prices but is capped at 18%.
