American Lumber Coalition increases duties on BC softwood lumber to 14.54%

The US Department of Commerce is nearly doubling its countervailing and anti-dumping duties on shipments of BC softwood lumber south of the border.

It went to 14.54% during today’s (Tuesday) fifth annual review by the US Lumber Coalition – the rate was 7.99% in July of 2023.

The American agency believes Canada continues to subsidize and dump its softwood lumber products in the United States, distorting the American softwood lumber market to the detriment of its sawmills, employees and communities.

BC Forests Minister Bruce Ralston expressed his disappointment with the ruling stating confirmation of this direction was first tabled by their American counterparts in February.

Ralston issued the following statement in response:

“I am immensely disappointed with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to increase unfair and unwarranted softwood lumber duties. The confirmation of this direction that was first tabled by the U.S. in February 2024 takes us in the wrong direction, hurting people who work in forestry and all British Columbians. Alongside the Government of Canada and our partners in the forestry sector, we will continue to fight unfair duties through every avenue.

“The many hardworking people in B.C.’s forest industry have experienced years of unfair American duties. In addition to hurting forestry communities in B.C. and across Canada, these unjustified duties are increasing the cost of building homes in the U.S., making life harder for people south of the border.

“Premier David Eby has spoken directly with the U.S. ambassador, calling on the U.S. to end American duties, and instead champion economic opportunity and lower costs for people. We have said from the start and we will say it again now: The only solution is an end to unfair softwood lumber duties.

“The evidence is clear: Duties on Canada’s softwood lumber exports cannot be justified. That’s why, alongside the Government of Canada, we will continue to pursue litigation under North American Free Trade Agreement, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, the U.S. Court of International Trade and at the World Trade Organization.”