Commerce Department Files Motions for Clarification and Extension With NAFTA Canadian Softwood Lumber Panel
On Friday, October 28, 2005, the U.S. department of Commerce (DOC) announced that it had filed motions with the NAFTA Panel reviewing DOC's final determination in the countervailing duty investigation on softwood lumber requesting clarification of the Panel's October 5, 2005 decision and requesting an extension of time.
The NAFTA Panel reviewing the Commerce Department's final determination in the countervailing duty investigation on softwood lumber issued on October 5, 2005 its decision on DOC's July 7, 2005, Fourth Remand Determination. The Panel remanded the Fourth Remand Determination to DOC to review the calculations on log seller profits.
Canadian government officials responded angrily to the latest delay. One Canadian official said that "the U.S. has ignored an obvious opportunity to demonstrate good faith and/or indicate that they are prepared to live by the rules of NAFTA" and "we hope they will offer an indication of good faith very soon."