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U.S. increases duties on Canadian softwood lumber, bringing total to more than 35%
U.S. increases duties on Canadian softwood lumber, bringing total to more than 35%

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

U.S. increases duties on Canadian softwood lumber, bringing total to more than 35%

The United States has increased countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber, bringing the total to 35.19 per cent. The decision was announced on Friday by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Although the escalating fees were anticipated, they still drew swift condemnation and words of alarm from industry and political leaders in B.C. and Ontario, who say it is yet the latest example of unfair treatment of the industry from their largest and most important international partner. "Two words describe Donald Trump's latest move to increase countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber: absurd and reckless," B.C.'s Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said in a statement posted to social media. "Adding these additional softwood duties ... will only worsen an affordability crisis on both sides of the border." WATCH | PM announces new support for forest industry: Speaking to CBC News, Parmar called the tariffs "an attack on hard-working forestry workers in Canada." He said the real people paying for tariffs are U.S. consumers looking to build homes. "It is nothing more than poking themselves in the eye; this is going to cost them big, as they rely heavily on our lumber." The B.C. Council of Forest Industries called the new fees "crippling" to workers in Canada, while the B.C. Lumber Trade Council pointed out the fees mean higher prices for construction companies in the United States who rely on softwood imports in order to build new homes. "This decision will harm communities on both sides of the border," trade council president Kurt Niquidet said in a statement. "What is needed now is a stable, negotiated agreement that supports jobs, trade, and housing affordability." A similar message was shared by the Ontario Forest Industries Association, which pointed to a report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce that found tariffs have already added up to $6,000 U.S to the cost of building a single-family home in the United States. The issue of softwood lumber has long been a point of contention between Canada and the United States, predating the current presidential administration by several decades. In Canada, lumber-producing provinces set so-called stumpage fees for timber harvested from Crown land, a system that U.S. producers — forced to pay market rates — consider an unfair subsidy. The U.S. Department of Commerce has agreed and has imposed duties reflecting its belief that the Canadian product is being sold at less than fair value into the United States. WATCH | B.C. minister says U.S. softwood fees hurt Canadians and Americans: Parmar says Canada has consistently contested U.S. duties under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), North American Free Trade Agreement and at the United States Court of International Trade. "We've won every single time," he added. "The challenge we have this time around is this is a president who doesn't believe in the rule of law." Escalating duties over the past decade have taken their toll on the industry in Canada, and especially in B.C., where hundreds of jobs have already been lost as mills have shuttered and scaled back, in part a response to a lack of access to U.S. markets. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced new supports for the industry, including more than $1.2 billion in funding to help diversify its markets and retrain affected workers. Parmar said he expects nearly half of that amount will flow to B.C. "We're the largest forestry when it comes to forestry in Canada by a long shot, and so I have every expectation that the federal government recognizes that," he said. He said the funding will provide "a bit of comfort" over a period of time to react to the duties, but stressed the need to reduce reliance on the U.S.

U.S. hikes Canadian softwood duties, bringing total to more than 35%
U.S. hikes Canadian softwood duties, bringing total to more than 35%

CTV News

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • CTV News

U.S. hikes Canadian softwood duties, bringing total to more than 35%

Logs are stacked at Gorman Brothers Lumber sawmill in West Kelowna, B.C., on April 4, 2025. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press) The U.S. Department of Commerce says it has made a final decision to more than double countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports, a move business groups in British Columbia say will harm communities on both sides of the border. A statement from the American department says the duty for most Canadian companies is being increased to 14.63 per cent, up from 6.74 per cent, after it determined softwood lumber from Canada was being unfairly subsidized. The increase is on top of a recent jump in anti-dumping duties to 20.56 per cent, bring the total duty level for Canadian softwood to 35.19 per cent. The department says it will now instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to begin collecting the money. Kurt Niquidet, president of the BC Lumber Trade Council, says in a statement that the decision places unnecessary strain on forestry-dependent regions in Canada while driving up construction costs for American builders. The council says both the Canadian and U.S. governments need to make resolving the long-standing softwood lumber dispute a top economic priority. '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,' the statement says. The BC Council of Forest Industries says the provincial government needs to take action including streamlining permitting processes, activating provincial timber sales and removing cross-ministry bottlenecks. 'With the right policy tools, B.C. can send a strong message that it is committed to creating a climate where primary and secondary forest manufacturers want to invest, ensuring a steady supply of wood products for B.C., Canada, and beyond,' president Kim Haakstad said in a statement. Prime Minister Mark Carney was in B.C. this week promising $700 million in loan guarantees for the industry and $500 million for long-term supports to help companies diversify export markets and develop their products. Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press

B.C. businesses call U.S. decision to double Canadian softwood duties harmful to both countries
B.C. businesses call U.S. decision to double Canadian softwood duties harmful to both countries

Globe and Mail

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Globe and Mail

B.C. businesses call U.S. decision to double Canadian softwood duties harmful to both countries

The U.S. Department of Commerce says it has made a final decision to more than double countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports, a move business groups in British Columbia say will harm communities on both sides of the border. A statement from the American department said the duty for most Canadian companies is being increased to 14.63 per cent, up from 6.74 per cent, after it determined softwood lumber from Canada was being unfairly subsidized. The increase is on top of a recent jump in anti-dumping duties to 20.56 per cent, bring the total duty level for Canadian softwood to 35.19 per cent. The department says it will now instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to begin collecting the money. Lumber producers praise federal plan to diversify markets amid trade war with U.S. B.C's Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar called the increase 'absurd and reckless' in a post on social media, saying it will only worsen the affordability crisis in both countries. 'Like with the anti-dumping duties, I have instructed our province's legal representation to work with our federal partners to appeal this determination. We will use every legal avenue available to fight back,' Parmar said. Kurt Niquidet, president of the BC Lumber Trade Council, said in a statement that the decision places unnecessary strain on forestry-dependent regions in Canada while driving up construction costs for American builders. The council says both the Canadian and U.S. governments need to make resolving the long-standing softwood lumber dispute a top economic priority. '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,' the statement said. Video: Carney says Canada won't sacrifice softwood lumber industry The BC Council of Forest Industries said the provincial government needs to take action including streamlining permitting processes, activating provincial timber sales and removing cross-ministry bottlenecks. 'With the right policy tools, B.C. can send a strong message that it is committed to creating a climate where primary and secondary forest manufacturers want to invest, ensuring a steady supply of wood products for B.C., Canada, and beyond,' president Kim Haakstad said in a statement. Prime Minister Mark Carney was in B.C. this week promising $700-million in loan guarantees for the industry and $500-million for long-term supports to help companies diversify export markets and develop their products.

U.S. more than doubles Canadian softwood duties, starting immediately
U.S. more than doubles Canadian softwood duties, starting immediately

National Post

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • National Post

U.S. more than doubles Canadian softwood duties, starting immediately

The U.S. Department of Commerce says it has made a final decision to more than double countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports, a move business groups in British Columbia say will harm communities on both sides of the border. Article content A statement from the American department says the duty for most Canadian companies is being increased to 14.63 per cent, up from 6.74 per cent, after it determined softwood lumber from Canada was being unfairly subsidized. Article content Article content The increase is on top of a recent jump in anti-dumping duties to 20.56 per cent, bring the total duty level for Canadian softwood to 35.19 per cent. Article content Kurt Niquidet, president of the BC Lumber Trade Council, says in a statement that the decision places unnecessary strain on forestry-dependent regions in Canada while driving up construction costs for American builders. Article content The council says both the Canadian and U.S. governments need to make resolving the long-standing softwood lumber dispute a top economic priority. Article content '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,' the statement says. Article content The BC Council of Forest Industries says the provincial government needs to take action including streamlining permitting processes, activating provincial timber sales and removing cross-ministry bottlenecks. Article content 'With the right policy tools, B.C. can send a strong message that it is committed to creating a climate where primary and secondary forest manufacturers want to invest, ensuring a steady supply of wood products for B.C., Canada, and beyond,' president Kim Haakstad said in a statement. Article content Article content

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