(Vancouver) – Kurt Niquidet, 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 final (“all others”) rate of 14.54% for countervailing duties and anti-dumping duties applied to 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 unjustified and unfair. Commerce has departed from long-standing methodologies, resulting in the higher rates announced today. These rates will hurt U.S. consumers by increasing the cost of lumber and building materials at a time when concerns about affordability continue to impact consumers on both sides of the border.”
“This couldn’t come at a worse time for BC lumber producers. The increase in US tariffs on BC lumber products will exacerbate the extremely challenging conditions faced by BC producers and will impact manufacturing operations, jobs and communities around the province.”
“BCLTC will continue to defend the interests of B.C. producers. Unfortunately, the delays in the appeal process have made it increasingly difficult for this to happen in a timely fashion, and these delays must be addressed and resolved.”
“Canadian lumber producers have already paid over CAD 9 billion in duties, which are held in deposit until this dispute is 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.
Kurt Niquidet
President
Media contact: +1 778-846-3465
Email: media@bclumbertrade.com