COMMENTS SOUGHT ON ISSUES RAISED IN CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER DISPUTE

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON ISSUES RAISED IN CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER DISPUTE    The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking comments on the Department of Commerce's preliminary determination that Canada provides countervailable subsidies to the Canadian softwood lumber industry.
   The U.S. government has contended that subsidy and dumping has allowed Canadian softwood lumber imports to sell at below market value, causing damage to the U.S. softwood lumber industry.
   On Aug. 20 the U.S. government began implementing a 19.31-percent countervailing duty on Canadian softwood lumber imports.
   U.S. Customs requires cash deposits or surety bonds in the amount of remedial duty for entries of affected softwood lumber from Canada. The duty will remain in place until the Commerce Department makes a final decision in its investigation into whether Canada subsidizes its lumber industry. That decision is due by Dec. 8.
   'The Commerce Department is also conducting an antidumping investigation into Canadian softwood lumber. A “preliminary decision” is due Sept. 24, with a final determination date of Dec. 8.
   The countervailing duty covers a variety of softwood lumber products, such as flooring, lumber and siding. It does not include trusses, furniture, pallets, I-joist beams, fence pickets, garage doors, and door and window frames. Softwood lumber exports from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are exempt from the duty if accompanied by an original certificate of origin issued by the Maritime Lumber Bureau. Exports from Frontier Lumber are also exempt.
   Comments are due to the USTR by Sept. 20. For more information, contact Willis S. Martyn, (202) 395-3582.