The U.S. Department of Commerce plans to raise tariffs for Canada’s two largest lumber companies, while lowering duties on most other Canadian producers. Based on the Commerce Department’s preliminary assessment, the combined countervailing and anti-dumping duties will rise for West Fraser and Canfor. West Fraser faces having to pay a new duty rate of 9.38 per cent, likely taking effect by August or September, compared with its current tariff of 8.25 per cent. Canfor will see its tariff climb to 7.29 per cent compared with the current 5.87 per cent. …Saint John-based J.D. Irving Ltd., which recently ranked as Canada’s fifth-largest lumber producer, has been assessed a higher rate of 7.77 per cent, compared with the current 7.17 per cent… most other producers in Canada will see their duty rates decline to 8.24 per cent from the current 8.59 per cent. Resolute Forest Products has a current tariff of 14.86 per cent, but it will be included in the group with the revised rate of 8.24 per cent. [to access the full story a Globe & Mail subscription is required]