Canada formally launches challenge of ‘unfair’ U.S. duties on softwood lumber

Worldwide Commerce Minister Mary Ng says Canada is formally initiating a problem of “unwarranted and unfair” U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber — a transfer that was telegraphed earlier this month.

The Canadian authorities filed discover of the problem Monday below the U.S.-Mexico-Canada commerce settlement’s dispute decision system.

Ng stated in a media assertion that the duties hurt Canadian companies and employees but in addition function a tax on U.S. shoppers already coping with inflation and supply-chain points.

The U.S. lower its anti-dumping and countervailing responsibility price in half earlier this month to eight.59 per cent from 17.61 per cent, however Ng signalled that Canada would nonetheless struggle the measures.

The crux of the U.S. argument is that the stumpage charges provinces cost for timber harvested from Crown land are akin to subsidies, since U.S. producers should as an alternative pay market charges.

Ng stated that Canada is prepared to work towards a negotiated resolution within the long-running dispute.