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Canada ‘extremely disappointed’ at U.S. softwood lumber duties: Minister Ng

Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng has voiced Canada’s extreme disappointment in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s preliminary decision to raise duties on certain Canadian softwood lumber products from 8.05 per cent to an estimated 13.86 per cent.

In her statement, Ng labeled the move as “entirely unwarranted” and highlighted the existing unjustifiable harm caused by U.S. duties on softwood lumber to consumers and producers on both sides of the border. She expressed concerns that increased duties would further detrimentally impact the Canadian softwood lumber industry, workers, and communities while making housing less affordable for Americans.

Canada reaffirmed its commitment to defending its interests, pledging to collaborate with provinces, territories, and industry stakeholders to explore all available avenues, including litigation under NAFTA, CUSMA, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the WTO.

Ng expressed confidence that ending these “unfair U.S. duties” would be mutually beneficial for both countries. Canada remains open to working with the United States towards a negotiated solution that fosters predictable cross-border trade in softwood lumber.

“Canada is confident that an end to these unfair U.S. duties will benefit both countries. We remain ready and willing to work with the United States toward a negotiated solution that allows for a return to predictable cross-border trade in softwood lumber,” she said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce initiated the fifth administrative reviews of its softwood lumber anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on March 14, 2023. The preliminary results, issued on February 1, 2024, are yet to take effect, with final results expected in the summer of 2024.