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