When fair trade is enforced

-Source-The Hill- There has been a lot of discussion around global trade and Americas trading partners. Whats important to remember is that enforcing fair trade isnt a partisan issue and its not about scoring political points. Fair trade is about free trade and the United States has a right to promote free trade for its industries and workers and an obligation to enforce our international trade laws. A perfect example of fair trade free of partisanship is the longstanding friction the United States has had on softwood lumber imports from Canada. Ive spent over four decades in the wood products industry and have witnessed firsthand the damage Canadas unfair trading practices have had on lumbers mills in the United States. In short Canadas government has been cheating the rules giving hefty subsidies to Canadian lumber mills so they can sell their lumber at distorted prices in an effort to push out U.S. producers and monopolize the market. Every president since Ronald Reagan has fought for the U.S. lumber industry and the 350000 Americans it represents. One year ago after a thorough investigation the U.S. Department of Commerce determined that Canada once again wasnt playing by the rules and levied duties against Canadian softwood lumber. These duties have leveled the playing field for American lumber mills and for hundreds of thousands of Americans employed in the U.S. lumber industry. This has been crucial in helping promote growth at my mill Westervelt in Tuscaloosa Alabama and in lumber mills across the United States. Its important to keep in mind fair trade isnt just about the industry or in this case selling more lumber. Its about a chance to compete on equal footing so we can grow and meet customer needs for lumber.