STATEMENT BY UNDER SECRETARY GRANT ALDONAS ON
SOFTWOOD LUMBER DISCUSSIONS

"Unfortunately, discussions on an interim agreement for the softwood lumber dispute ended without resolution. Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, at the end of the day we were unable to come to a meeting of the minds. Although our discussions with respect to settling the ongoing litigation are at an end, we will continue to press forward in cooperation with our Canadian colleagues on policy reforms that would achieve a long-term, market-based solution to this dispute.

"In the meantime, speaking on behalf of the Department, we will continue to move aggressively to counter unfair trade practices injuring the U.S. industry, both in the course of the current litigation and any future administrative reviews of the Department's determinations."

--Under Secretary Grant Aldonas