The Financial Post reports in its Saturday, Jan. 7, edition that the U.S. International Trade Commission says it has found there was a reasonable indication that softwood lumber products from Canada materially injured American producers, setting the stage for the imposition of preliminary duties that softwood producers fear could impact Canadian jobs. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post reports that the trade commission announced Friday that it made an initial determination of harm from Canadian lumber that is "allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value." It said the U.S. Commerce Department will continue anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations launched Dec. 16 into the imported products. International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland says the Canadian government will vigorously defend the interests of workers and producers. B.C. Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson says the allegations of unfair trade practices are unfounded. He says: "These are allegations that, time after time, have been proven to be false before NAFTA and World Trade Organization tribunals. ... B.C.'s forest policies are trade compliant."