BC Lumber Trade Council Responds to U.S. Decision to Double Countervailing Duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber

Vancouver, B.C. – The BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) is expressing strong concern following the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final decision to more than double countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports—from 6.74% to 14.63%. Combined with the recently increased anti-dumping duty of 20.56%, the total duty level now stands at 35.19%. 

“This decision will harm communities on both sides of the border,” said Kurt Niquidet, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council. “It places unnecessary strain on forestry-dependent regions in Canada while driving up construction costs for American builders and families. What is needed now is a stable, negotiated agreement that supports jobs, trade, and housing affordability.” 

BCLTC is calling on both the Government of Canada and the U.S. Administration to make resolving the longstanding softwood lumber dispute a top economic priority. 

“We believe the best way forward is through meaningful negotiation—not litigation,” Niquidet added. “A durable agreement would bring certainty to a critical cross-border supply chain and support the long-term interests of both countries.” 

In the absence of a negotiated settlement, BCLTC will continue working closely with the Government of Canada and industry partners to defend Canadian interests through all available legal channels, including proceedings under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). 

“Lumber producers in British Columbia compete in an open, market-based system and receive no unfair subsidies,” Niquidet emphasized. “We will continue to stand up for Canadian producers—and for the thousands of workers and communities whose livelihoods rely on a stable, rules-based trading relationship with the United States.”  

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Media Contact: media@bclumbertrade.com 

B.C. Lumber Trade Council Welcomes Federal Support for Softwood Lumber Sector

The BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) welcomes new federal support measures for Canada’s softwood lumber industry, announced today by Prime Minister Carney.

While resolving the long-running softwood lumber dispute with the United States must remain the government’s top trade priority, interim support is needed to help Canadian producers weather current challenges.

“We appreciate the federal government’s recognition that support is necessary in the face of ongoing trade uncertainty” said BCLTC President Kurt Niquidet.

The Council pointed to the importance of liquidity assistance and help for forestry workers at a time when Canadian companies are grappling with competitiveness challenges and unjust duties imposed by the U.S.

“These measures are timely,” Niquidet added. “We look forward to working with federal officials to ensure they are implemented quickly and effectively, and that they reflect the realities facing regions like British Columbia.”

BCLTC also emphasized the importance of aligning near-term support with long-term ambitions such as expanding international market opportunities, and helping meet the country’s growing demand for sustainable, wood-based housing.

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Media contact: media@bclumbertrade.com 

BC Lumber Trade Council Responds to U.S. Decision to Increase Anti-Dumping Duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber 

Vancouver, B.C. – The BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) is deeply disappointed by today’s final determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 20.56%. If the Department’s forthcoming determination in the countervailing duty review is consistent with the preliminary results, the combined rate will be well over 30%.  

This decision represents yet another example of ongoing U.S. protectionism at a time when cross-border cooperation should be a shared priority.  

“These duties are both unjustified and harmful,” said Kurt Niquidet, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council. “They unfairly penalize forestry workers and families across British Columbia, while further increasing costs for American homebuilders and consumers.” 

Niquidet emphasized the need for a lasting resolution: 

“Rather than prolonging this decades-old dispute through costly litigation, we urge both governments to pursue a fair and durable agreement that delivers long-term certainty in the softwood lumber trade.” 

In the meantime, BCLTC will continue working closely with the Government of Canada and industry partners to vigorously challenge these duties through all available legal channels. 

“We will continue to stand up for Canadian producers and the thousands of workers and communities that depend on a stable, rules-based trading relationship with the United States,” Niquidet affirmed. 

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Media contact: media@bclumbertrade.com 

BC Lumber Trade Council Responds to U.S. Department of Commerce Preliminary Determination on Countervailing Duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber

Vancouver, April 6, 2025 – The BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) is deeply disappointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s preliminary decision to more than double countervailing duties on imports of Canadian softwood lumber from 6.74% to 14.38%.  Combined with Commerce’s preliminary decision earlier this year to increase anti-dumping duties to 20.07%, this could bring the total combined duty rate to 34.45% this fall if Commerce maintains these rates in its final results.

British Columbia does not subsidize its lumber industry. Timber in B.C. is sold through a transparent, market-based system. Claims that B.C.’s system provides an unfair advantage are simply not supported by the facts. Commerce continues to employ flawed and misleading methodologies, resulting in the higher rates that were announced.

“These duties are unjustified and harmful,” said Kurt Niquidet, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council. “Our stumpage system is grounded in market principles, with timber sold through open, competitive auctions.”

The Council urges Commerce to reverse this preliminary decision in its final results. If implemented, these rates will hurt workers and communities on both sides of the border and drive-up lumber prices for American consumers. BCLTC remains committed to fair, fact-based trade and will continue working with partners to defend Canada’s forestry sector.

Statement by the BC Lumber Trade Council on the Preliminary Rates for Anti-Dumping Duties for Softwood Lumber in the U.S. Department of Commerce's Sixth Administrative Review

(Vancouver) The BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) strongly opposes the U.S. Department of Commerce’s preliminary decision to increase anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 20.07%. This unjustified move will negatively impact forestry workers and communities in British Columbia, while further burdening homebuilders, consumers, and the broader construction sector in the United States.

“It is deeply disappointing that the U.S. continues to impose these protectionist trade measures” said Kurt Niquidet, President of the BC Lumber Trade Council. “The fact remains that the United States relies on Canadian softwood lumber imports and these duties will harm not only the B.C. forestry industry, but also U.S. consumers, who will bear some of the cost”.  Ongoing rebuilding efforts in North Carolina and California, where affordable and reliable lumber is critical to recovery, will be more expensive as a result of this decision.

The BCLTC remains committed to advocating for fair trade and urges the U.S. government to work towards a negotiated solution that benefits all stakeholders. Canada has a long-standing and reliable history as a key supplier of softwood lumber to the U.S., providing high-quality products for home construction and renovation.

“We will continue to defend our industry against these baseless duties through all available avenues, including legal challenges” added Mr. Niquidet. “A fair and lasting resolution to the softwood lumber dispute is in both countries' best interest.”

The BC Lumber Trade Council will closely monitor developments and work alongside the Canadian government and industry partners to challenge this latest trade action.

Kurt Niquidet
President
Media contact: +1 778-846-3465
Email: media@bclumbertrade.com

BC Lumber Trade Council: U.S. Softwood Lumber Tariffs Are Unjustified and Harmful

(Vancouver, B.C.) - "The U.S. government's decision to impose a 25% tariff on softwood lumber and other Canadian exports is a punitive, unjustified protectionist measure that will cause economic harm in both Canada and the United States. BC softwood lumber producers already face 14.40% duties on their shipments to the U.S. Combined, these barriers will disrupt trade, raise costs for consumers, and threaten jobs and communities on both sides of the border.

The Canada-U.S. lumber trade is mutually beneficial. American demand exceeds domestic supply-requiring U.S. builders to import about thirty percent of their lumber needs. Canadian producers fill most of this gap, ensuring a stable, predictable supply of quality lumber. Tariffs disrupt this essential supply chain, increasing building material costs, at a time when affordability is already a major concern for American families.

For Canadian producers, higher tariffs erode competitiveness and put mills under financial strain-leading to curtailments, job losses, and economic harm to forestry-dependent communities.

The BC Lumber Trade Council urges the Canadian government to work with U.S. counterparts to remove these tariffs and to reach a fair, long-term solution. Unjustified trade barriers weaken both economies and put workers, businesses, and consumers at risk.

News Release: Statement by the BC Lumber Trade Council on the Final Results of U.S. Department of Commerce's Fifth Administrative Review

(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

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