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Freeland, speaking to reporters on a conference call, also said
the United States should treat Canada with respect, given that
Canada is a major supplier of softwood.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Monday announced tariffs
on Canadian lumber exports, which U.S. producers complain are
unfairly subsidized. The move triggered the fifth formal
bilateral dispute over Canadian lumber in less than 40 years.
Freeland said she had had long conversations with Ross on Sunday
and Monday about lumber.
"We have made progress ... but we are not there yet," she said.
"We do believe a negotiated deal is achievable. There is a deal
to be had ... but we are also absolutely prepared to fight this
out in the courts."
Freeland, who described the tariffs as "punitive, unfair and
just plain wrong", said Canada would strongly defend its
domestic industry.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
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