MONTREAL—The softwood lumber dispute with the United States could be resolved before the NAFTA renegotiation gets underway in mid-August, says Quebec’s softwood lumber envoy.
Raymond Chretien, former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., said late last week that he’s optimistic because of recent comments by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that he would like to conclude a deal before discussing the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“I think there is an opening for negotiations,” said Chretien, adding that he believes there have been “informal exchanges” between the two governments.
“I have always said that there cannot be an adequate modernization of NAFTA if the softwood lumber conflict is not resolved,” he said.
“It will be interesting to see if the Americans have the same view.”
The former diplomat acknowledged, however, that the softwood lumber dispute could last for years if a deal isn’t reached before NAFTA talks begin with Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Read more at canadianmanufacturing.com
