Dear Mr. President:
In 2006, your administration, through the efforts of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR") and the Secretary of Commerce, achieved the landmark Softwood Lumber Agreement (“Agreement")
with Canada. The Agreement was the result of years of painstaking negotiations, and was intended to settle a decades-old dispute involving Canadian subsidies to softwood lumber production.
The Agreement represents an important step forward and demonstrates the commitment of the United States to providing American producers with a fair and open market for softwood lumber.
The Agreement will be effective, however, only if it is fully enforced.
We appreciate USTR’s recent efforts to enforce the Agreement. The arbitration sought by the United States is a necessary first step to ensuring that Canada abides by its commitments. And Congress will continue to closely monitor both the progress and results of these proceedings.
But this arbitration alone is not enough. It does not address all of the new provincial-level subsidies applied in violation of Canada’s obligations under the Agreement. Nor will arbitration alone effectively ensure Canada’s compliance with its commitments.
We urge you to use all additional measures at your disposal to enforce the Agreement. It is essential that Canada abides by all of its obligations, and that we preserve a vital U.S. industry in the face of unfair imports.
Respectfully yours,
Senator Max Baucus
Senator Saxby Chambliss Senator Larry Craig
Senator Blanche Lincoln Senator Amy Klobuchar
Senator Susan Collins Senator Thad Cochran
Senator Lindsey Graham Senator Mike Crapo
Senator Patty Murray Senator Olympia Snowe
Senator Roger Wicker Senator Norm Coleman
Senator Johnny Isakson Senator Gordon Smith
Source: Ranking Member’s News
