Trade Minister Mary Ng expresses disappointment with U.S. final softwood lumber duty rate
The BC Lumber Trade Council says the final rates are not unexpected but still disappointing, especially since U.S. producers are unable to meet domestic demand.
International Trade Minister Mary Ng and B.C.’s lumber producers say they are disappointed that the U.S. Department of Commerce has decided to increase duties on Canada’s softwood lumber producers.
The U.S. government said on Nov. 24 that its final combined anti-dumping and countervailing duty rate for most Canadian producers will be 17.9 per cent.
That’s slightly below the 18.32 per cent preliminary rate issued in May but double the initial 8.99 per cent rate.
Ng called on the U.S. to stop imposing “these unwarranted duties” that harm Canadian communities, business and workers while also raising costs of housing and renovations for U.S. consumers.
Final rates for four Canadian producers have been slightly reduced from May. The final rate for Canfor Corp. is 19.54 per cent, down from 21.04 per cent; West Fraser Timber Co. Inc. is 11.12 per cent, down from 11.38 per cent; Resolute Forest Products Inc. is 29.66 per cent, down from 30.22 per cent; and JD Irving is 15 per cent, down from 15.82 per cent.
The BC Lumber Trade Council says the final rates are not unexpected but still disappointing, especially since U.S. producers are unable to meet domestic demand.
“Our strong hope is that the U.S. industry will end this decades-long litigation and instead work with us to meet demand for the low-carbon wood products the world wants, including American families,” stated council president Susan Yurkovich.
“Until then, we will continue to vigorously defend our industry against these meritless allegations.”
Ng said the Canadian government will continue to defend the softwood lumber industry including through litigation under Chapter 10 of the CUSMA trade deal with Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, NAFTA’s Chapter 19 and at the World Trade Organization.
Conservative MPs say the softwood lumber duties show that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise of a renewed relationship with the U.S. is failing.
“Instead, we got an EV tax credit that threatens Canadian auto manufacturing, stringent Buy American policies, measures targeting agricultural producers, and actions against energy pipelines — contributing to skyrocketing energy prices. And now, the U.S. is again targeting Canada by doubling tariffs on Canadian softwood,” said Michael Chong, foreign affairs critic, and Randy Hoback, international trade critic.
