August 17,2005

Baucus Comments on Canada’s Decision To Call Off Softwood Lumber Negotiations

(WASHINGTON, D.C) Senator Max Baucus, ranking member of the Senate FinanceCommittee, issued the following statement in response to Canada’s decision to call off softwoodlumber negotiations:

“I am deeply disappointed by Canada’s decision to walk away from the softwood lumbernegotiations scheduled for next week. These talks offered both sides a real chance to roll uptheir sleeves and craft a durable resolution to this dispute. It is unfortunate that Canada haschosen to pass up this opportunity.

“I hope that the parties can resume the negotiations soon. The alternative is endless litigation –including further trade remedy cases and a constitutional challenge to the NAFTA disputesettlement mechanism.

“While I support ending the dispute through negotiation, I will continue to work with the U.S.lumber industry in seeking an end to unfair Canadian softwood lumber subsidies.”