August 30,2005

Baucus Welcomes WTO Decision on Lumber

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), ranking member of the Senate FinanceCommittee, issued the following response to reports that a World Trade Organization panelupheld U.S. findings that Canadian softwood lumber imports injure the U.S. industry.

“I’m delighted that the World Trade Organization has confirmed what we in Montana haveknown for years, namely that Canada’s subsidized imports of softwood lumber harm the U.S.lumber industry. This decision allows the United States to maintain duties to counter unfairlytraded Canadian lumber imports.

“I hope Canada will now return to the negotiating table, the only place I believe this dispute canbe settled once and for all. We cannot afford to let more time slip away.”