The U.S. is dramatically increasing the duty it charges on softwood lumber imports from Canada, setting the rate at 14.54 per cent. The previous duty was 8.05 per cent. …Mary Ng, minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development, called the increase disappointing. “Baseless and unfair U.S. duties on softwood lumber unjustifiably harm consumers and producers on both sides of the border,” said Ng. In British Columbia, Bruce Ralston, minister of forests, echoed Ng’s sentiments. …Canada vows to challenge the U.S. decision with litigation under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) at the U.S. Court of International Trade and at the World Trade Organization.
- Gov’t of Canada: Duties harm consumers and producers on both sides of border
- BC Government: Minister’s statement on the U.S. softwood duty increase
- US Lumber Coalition: Substantiates that Canada subsidizes its lumber
- BC Lumber Trade Council: U.S. Lumber Coalition’s claims are without merit