U.S. Commerce Department doubles tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber imports
CALGARY – The president of the BC Lumber Trade Council says a move by the United States to double tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber is “particularly egregious” given current record-high lumber prices.
Susan Yurkovich says the dramatic increase in the “all others” preliminary countervailing and anti-dumping rate to 18.32 per cent from 8.99 per cent will hurt American consumers who are faced with a market where prices are at record heights because supply can’t keep up with demand.
She called on the U.S. industry to end its decades-long campaign alleging Canadian lumber is unfairly subsidized and instead work with Canada to meet the demand for “low-carbon wood products” the world wants.
Former President Donald Trump’s administration imposed a 20 per cent tariff on Canadian softwood in 2018, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but lowered it to about nine per cent late last year after a decision favouring Canada by the World Trade Organization.
