Commerce Seeks Comments on Foreign Softwood Lumber Subsidies
The Commerce Department is seeking comment on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the U.S. during the period Jan. 1 through June, 30, 2015 (here). Comments are due by Nov. 23.
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Comments Sought as Part of SLA 2008 Reporting Requirements
The Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 requires Commerce to provide a report to the appropriate congressional committees every 180 days on any subsidies provided by countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products (see 08081410). As part of its report to Congress, Commerce includes a list of subsidy programs identified with sufficient clarity by the public in response to this notice.
Only on Countries that Supply at Least 1% of U.S. Imports
Given the large number of countries that export softwood lumber and softwood lumber products to the U.S., Commerce said it is soliciting public comment only on subsidies provided by countries whose exports accounted for at least 1 percent of total U.S. imports of softwood lumber by quantity, as classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule 4407.10.01 (which accounts for the vast majority of imports), during the period July 31 through Dec. 31, 2014. U.S. import data published by the International Trade Commission Tariff and Trade DataWeb indicates that only exports of softwood lumber from Canada and Chile account for at least 1 percent of U.S. imports of softwood lumber products during that time period, said Commerce. The 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement with Canada expired on Oct. 12 (see 1510070032).
Commerce Department contact - James Terpstra (202) 482-3965
(Federal Register 10/22/15)