Statement by the BC Lumber Trade Council on the Outcome of U.S. Department of Commerce’s Fifth Administrative Review

(Vancouver) – Kurt Niquidet, Vice-President of the BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) made the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce announcement today regarding a preliminary average (“all others”) rate of 13.86% for countervailing duties and anti-dumping duties applied to 2022 shipments of BC softwood lumber to the United States, a marked increase over the prior "all others" rate of 8.05%.

“These duties continue to be unwarranted and unfair. This is particularly the case where Commerce appears to have departed from certain long-standing methodologies at the urging of U.S. industry, resulting in the increased rates announced today. Although these rates are not yet finalized, they continue to misrepresent reality: B.C. and Canadian producers are not subsidized and are not dumping in the U.S. market.”

“Unjustified tariffs hurt U.S. consumers by increasing the cost of lumber and building materials, at a time when the shortage of affordable housing is having a severe impact on families across the country.”

“BCLTC will continue to vigorously defend the interests of B.C. producers both before Commerce in this administrative review, and before CUSMA panels in the related appeals. Unfortunately, the delays in the appeal process have made it increasingly difficult for Canadian parties to defend their interests in a timely fashion, and these delays must be addressed and resolved.”

“B.C. is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S. The B.C. forest industry is a major contributor to the provincial economy and supports approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province. The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in B.C. representing the majority of lumber production in the province.”

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Media Contact:
Travis Joern
778-846-3465
www.bclumbertrade.com
@BCLumberTrade

BC Lumber Trade Council issues statement on NAFTA dispute panel ruling on softwood lumber appeal

(Vancouver) - Linda Coady, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council made the following statement in response to the NAFTA panel decision yesterday:

"The BC Lumber Trade Council welcomes the NAFTA panel decision sending essential aspects of the U.S. Department of Commerce's flawed antidumping investigation determination back for further review. While this NAFTA panel decision does not remove the tariffs currently levied on BC producers, the ruling is a step forward and it validates Canada's long-held position that Commerce's determinations in the lumber dispute are unlawful."

"U.S. duties on Canadian and British Columbian producers of softwood lumber are unwarranted and unfair. We will continue to pursue all avenues to come to a resolution on this softwood lumber dispute."

"The interests of Canadian and US producers alike would be much better served by both sides in this long running dispute working together to resolve it and grow markets domestically and internationally. This would also allow both countries to focus on more critical issues like climate change, cross-border wildfire protection, and housing affordability. Until then, BC producers are forced to continue vigorously defending our industry against these meritless allegations."

BC is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the US. The BC forest industry is a major contributor to the provincial economy and supports thousands of jobs in the province. The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in BC representing the majority of lumber exports to the United States.

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Media Contact:
778.990.0701

media@bclumbertrade.com

BC Lumber Trade Council presses for bilateral dispute resolution following latest U.S. Commerce Department decision on softwood lumber duties

(Vancouver) – The BC Lumber Trade Council is urging collaboration and dispute resolution over continued litigation between Canadian and US lumber producers after the U.S. Department of Commerce today announced a final average (“all others”) rate of 7.99% for countervailing and anti-dumping duties applied to 2021 shipments of BC softwood lumber to US.

“These duties are unwarranted and unfair because BC and Canadian producers are not subsidized,” said Linda Coady, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC). “The interests of Canadian and US producers alike would be much better served by both sides in this long running dispute working together to resolve it and grow markets domestically and internationally. This would also allow both countries to focus on more critical issues like climate change, cross-border wildfire protection, and housing affordability.”

“Our strong hope is that the US industry will end this decades-long litigation and, instead, work with their Canadian counterparts to meet demand for the low-carbon wood products the world wants, including American home builders and owners. Until then, BC producers are forced to continue vigorously defending our industry against these meritless allegations.”

BC lumber producers are particularly frustrated that Canada is more than six years into the current dispute and yet appeal processes under dispute resolution mechanisms provided for by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), have not yet been held. “Extended and unreasonable US delays on standing up panels for these appeals are directly impacting companies, workers and forestry communities in BC,” Coady said.

“These appeals can be a critically important element in dispute resolution that can also help provide the foundation for potential benefits for companies, workers, and consumers on both sides of the border. For this reason, BC lumber producers have asked the Government of Canada to make addressing US delays in the dispute resolution process a top priority.”

BC producers have long emphasized that the US duties hurt not only BC businesses and workers, but also US consumers looking to repair, remodel and build new homes. As the US does not produce enough lumber to meet its own domestic needs, the duties pose a threat to post-pandemic recovery on both sides of the border.

BC is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the US. The BC forest industry is a major contributor to the provincial economy and supports approximately 100,000 jobs in the province. The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in BC representing the majority of lumber production in the province.

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Media Contact:
778.990.0701 or media@bclumbertrade.com

Statement by the BC Lumber Trade Council on President Biden’s Announcement of New Standards to be Introduced to Limit Use of Non-American Lumber in U.S Infrastructure Projects

(Vancouver) – Linda Coady, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council made the following statement in response to United States President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address signaling that new standards limiting the use of non-American lumber in U.S. infrastructure projects will be introduced.

 “The BC Lumber Trade Council is aware of President Biden’s intention to introduce standards that will limit the use of non-American lumber in government-funded infrastructure projects.”

 “While this is concerning and we are seeking to better understand what this means for Canadian producers, our focus remains on working on both sides of the border to maximize the opportunity Canada has in providing the sustainably produced, low-carbon lumber products we know American homebuilders, consumers and construction workers want and need. To put this in perspective, in 2021, U.S. lumber demand was over 50 billion board feet. US domestic producers could only supply 35 billion board feet of that demand leaving an around 15 billion board feet shortfall – a gap that was largely filled Canadian lumber, produced by Canadian workers.”

 “To leverage these and other opportunities, remaining focused on a Team Canada approach to the softwood lumber dispute is critical. For decades, and regardless of who is in government, Canadians have benefited from having a unified voice on this issue across party-lines and across the country. Strong cross partisan and intergovernmental cooperation which drives to a common cause because the elimination of tariffs is in the best interest of all. We appreciate that Minister Ng, like her predecessors, along with the Government of B.C. are continuing with this approach while driving discussions with the U.S. and standing up for Canadians’ interests.”

 The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in B.C. representing the majority of lumber production in the province.

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Media contact:

Alexa Young
778-229-6885

Adam McPhee
778-558-3031

media@bclumbertrade.com
www.bclumbertrade.com
@BCLumberTrade

Statement by the BC Lumber Trade Council on Outcome of U.S. Department of Commerce’s Third Administrative Review

(Vancouver) – Susan Yurkovich, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council made the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) issuance of final countervailing (CVD) and antidumping (AD) rates on Canadian softwood lumber. The new combined CVD/AD “All Others” rate will be 8.59%, dropping from the current combined “All Others” rate of 17.91%.

“While the reduction in duty rates from this third Administrative Review is welcome, the fact that we are required to continue to pay duties on our lumber products sold to the U.S. market remains frustrating and disappointing. As we have long emphasized, these unfair duties hurt not only B.C. businesses and workers, but also U.S. consumers looking to repair, remodel and build new homes. As U.S. producers remain unable to meet domestic demand, these duties continue to hinder post-pandemic recovery and exacerbate inflationary pressures on both sides of the border.”

“Our strong hope is that the U.S. industry will end this decades-long litigation and instead work with us to meet demand for the low-carbon wood products the world wants, including American families. Until then, we will continue to vigorously defend our industry against these meritless allegations."

B.C. is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S. The B.C. forest industry is a major contributor to the provincial economy and supports approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province. The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in B.C. representing the majority of lumber production in the province.

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Media Contact:
Adam McPhee
778.558.3031
www.bclumbertrade.com
@BCLumberTrade

BC Lumber Trade Council Applauds Government of Canada’s Challenge of Unfair U.S. Duties on Softwood Lumber and for Standing up for Canadian Workers and Families

(Vancouver) – Susan Yurkovich, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council made the following statement in response to the Government of Canada filing notice today that it will be challenging the final results of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s second administrative review of the United States’ anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on softwood lumber from Canada under Chapter 10 of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA):

“The BC Lumber Trade Council applauds today’s decision by the Government of Canada to challenge U.S. softwood lumber duties under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.”

 “We remain steadfast in our position that these unfair duties are harmful to not only B.C. businesses and workers, but also U.S. consumers looking to renovate and build new homes. This is particularly concerning as these duties remain a threat to post-pandemic recovery on both sides of the border.”

 “Our continued hope is that the U.S. industry will end this decades-long dispute and instead work with us to meet demand for the low-carbon wood products the world needs, including American families. Until then, we will continue to vigorously defend our industry against these baseless claims and thank the Government of Canada for standing with forest product workers and their families."

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Media Contact:
Alexa Young
778.229.6885
www.bclumbertrade.com
@BCLumberTrade

Statement by the BC Lumber Trade Council on Outcome of U.S. Department of Commerce’s Doubling of Duty Rates on Canadian Softwood Lumber

(Vancouver) – Susan Yurkovich, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council made the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) issuance of final countervailing (CVD) and antidumping (AD) rates on Canadian softwood lumber. The new combined CVD/AD “All Others” rate will be 17.9%, which is double the current combined “All Others” rate of 8.99%.

“While not unexpected, we are disappointed with the doubling of the duties on softwood lumber for Canadian producers. As we have repeatedly stated, these unfair duties hurt not only B.C. businesses and workers, but also U.S. consumers looking to repair, remodel and build new homes. As U.S. producers remain unable to meet domestic demand, these duties are a threat to post-pandemic recovery on both sides of the border.”

“Our strong hope is that the U.S. industry will end this decades-long litigation and instead work with us to meet demand for the low-carbon wood products the world wants, including American families. Until then, we will continue to vigorously defend our industry against these meritless allegations."

Today’s decision is the outcome of the DOC’s second Administrative Review of its investigation into softwood lumber products from Canada. Once published, B.C. producers will be subject to these new rates. This final rate largely reflects the preliminary “All Others” rate of 18.32%, initially issued on May 21, 2021.

B.C. is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S. The B.C. forest industry is a global leader in sustainable forest management and a major contributor to the provincial economy, supporting approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province. The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in B.C. representing the majority of lumber production in the province.

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Media Contact:
Alexa Young
778.229.6885
www.bclumbertrade.com
@BCLumberTrade

Statement by the BC Lumber Trade Council on U.S. Department of Commerce’s Second Administrative Review Preliminary Rate Decision

(Vancouver) – Susan Yurkovich, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council made the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) issuance of preliminary countervailing (CVD) and antidumping (AD) rates on Canadian softwood lumber. The preliminary combined “All Others” rate has been set at 18.32%, more than double the current combined “All Others” rate of 8.99%. Today’s decision is the outcome of the DOC’s second Administrative Review of its investigation into softwood lumber products from Canada. The rates are only preliminary and will not come into effect until a final rate is issue later this year.

“We find the significant increase in today’s preliminary rates troubling.  It is particularly egregious given lumber prices are at a record high and demand is skyrocketing in the U.S. as families across the country look to repair, remodel and build new homes. As U.S. producers remain unable to meet domestic demand, the ongoing actions of the industry, resulting in these unwarranted tariffs, will ultimately further hurt American consumers by adding to their costs.

If Commerce persists with its methodology and finalizes these rates at the end of this year, U.S. lumber consumers will bear the burden of further increased lumber costs. Our strong hope is that the U.S. industry will end this decades-long litigation and instead work with us to meet demand for the low-carbon wood products the world wants, including American families. Until then, we will continue to vigorously defend our industry against these meritless allegations.

As we have consistently said, and as has been proven time and time again in previous rounds of litigation, the Canadian lumber industry is not subsidized and continuous claims by U.S. producers are completely baseless.” 

B.C. is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S. The B.C. forest industry is a major contributor to the provincial economy and supports approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province. The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in B.C. representing the majority of lumber production in the province.

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Media Contact:
Alexa Young
778.229.6885
www.bclumbertrade.com
@BCLumberTrade

Statement by the BC Lumber Trade Council on Outcome of U.S. Department of Commerce’s First Administrative Review

(Vancouver) – Susan Yurkovich, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council made the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) issuance of new countervailing (CVD) and antidumping (AD) rates on Canadian softwood lumber. The new combined CVD/AD “All Others” rate will be 8.99 percent. Today’s decision is the outcome of the DOC’s first Administrative Review and largely reaffirms its preliminary duty rates issued on February 3, 2020:

“While the reduction in duty rates from this first Administrative Review is a step in the right direction, the fact that we’re still paying duties on our lumber products sold to the U.S. market is both frustrating and disappointing. As we have consistently said, and as has been proven in previous rounds of litigation, the Canadian industry is not subsidized, and this trade action leveled by U.S. producers is completely without merit.

The North American lumber market is served by both American and Canadian producers. This has been important as, for many years, U.S. demand has outpaced domestically produced supply. Today, lumber demand is strong as families across the U.S. are looking to repair and remodel their homes, and others are driving demand for new home construction. That’s why it is so unfortunate that the ongoing actions of the U.S. industry resulting in these unwarranted tariffs are placing an added cost burden on consumers.

Our strong hope is that the U.S. industry will end this decades-long litigation and instead work with us to further grow demand for the low-carbon wood products the world wants. Until then, we will continue to vigorously defend our industry against these baseless allegations.” 

B.C. is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S. The B.C. forest industry is a major contributor to the provincial economy and supports approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province. The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in B.C. representing the majority of lumber production in the province.

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Media Contact:
Alexa Young
778.229.6885
www.bclumbertrade.com
@BCLumberTrade

BC Lumber Trade Council Applauds WTO Ruling Supporting Canada’s Position on Softwood Lumber

(Vancouver, B.C.) - The BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) applauds today’s World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that vindicates Canada in its challenge to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2017 subsidy determination against Canadian softwood lumber products. 

After an exhaustive, two-year review of Commerce’s findings with respect to countervailing duties, the WTO panel agreed with Canada that every key finding of subsidization was without merit.  

“For more than three years, our industry has paid billions of dollars in countervailing duties that today’s decision confirmed should never have been paid in the first place” said Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO of BCLTC.  

In its 225-page report, the WTO identified more than 40 instances where, in its own words, no ‘unbiased and objective’ investigating authority could have reached the findings that Commerce made based on the evidence before it. 

“This report is a scathing indictment of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s subsidy findings and the biased process it followed in reaching them”, Ms. Yurkovich observed. “For three decades, we have been saying that the U.S. trade remedy process is flawed. Unfortunately, this is just the latest chapter in the ongoing attack on the Canadian lumber industry. Each of the prior two lumber disputes ended with neutral, international tribunals issuing rulings that forced Commerce to rescind their flawed and unsupported subsidy findings for similar reasons. Today’s decision is an important step towards, what we expect, will be the same result. If the errors identified by the WTO Panel are properly addressed and corrected, the Department of Commerce would have no choice but to completely reject the U.S. industry’s subsidy claims and put an end to these baseless claims against Canadian producers.”

B.C. is the largest Canadian exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S. The B.C. forest industry is a major contributor to the provincial economy and supports approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province. The BC Lumber Trade Council is the voice on trade matters for companies in B.C. representing the majority of lumber production in the province.

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Media Contact:
Alexa Young
778.229.6885
www.bclumbertrade.com
@BCLumberTrade