Canada is claiming a second victory in less than a week in the softwood lumber dispute with America, following the latest ruling by a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) panel.
The NAFTA ruling on June 7 asked the US commerce department to review its subsidy calculations on Canadian lumber imports again.
John Allan, president of the British Columbia Lumber Trade Council, said if the commerce department responds according to NAFTA guidelines the countervailing element of duties would be effectively eliminated. But, the anti-dumping levy would remain.
The ruling follows a commerce department review on June 3 which cut the duties on lumber exported between May 2002 and March 31, 2003 to a total of 13.2%.
