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Friday, November 25, 2005

Canada unveils $1.2 billion in softwood lumber aid

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TORONTO -- Canada announced $1.2 billion in aid for its softwood lumber industry Thursday, a move the United States called disappointing.

Jacques Saada, Canada's minister of regional economic development, said the aid should not harm Canada's case in a long-running trade dispute with the United States, which alleges the Canadian industry is already subsidized.

"It's up to the U.S. to decide what they want to do with this; as far as we're concerned it is not" a subsidy, Saada said.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Trade Representative Rob Portman called it yet another subsidy.

Tuesday, the Commerce Department said it would comply with a NAFTA panel's order to drastically cut U.S. duties on imports of Canadian softwood lumber, from an average about 16 percent to less than 1 percent.

"Only days after we fully complied with a NAFTA decision, Canada responds by announcing huge new subsidies," Portman said.

Canada's international trade minister, Jim Peterson, suggested the aid could be reconsidered if Washington cancels the duties.

The Bush administration imposed the tariffs in 2002, accusing Canada of subsidizing its lumber industry.

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