Trade Bodies Welcome U.S. Decision to Cut Softwood Lumber Duties

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Various trade associations have welcomed the recent decision by the U.S. administration to cut duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports. The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) had recently decided to lower the duties that were applied on most Canadian softwood exports from 20.2% to 8.9%, as part of its annual review of duty rates.

Reacting to the decision, Canada’s international trade minister Mary Ng said that the reduced duties on softwood lumber duties are a step in the right direction. However, any additional fees, no matter how small they are, are unwarranted and unfair. Canada is disappointed that the U.S. continues to impose duties on Canadian softwood lumber, she added.

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B.C. Premier John Horgan said that the news of the reduced duties was welcome.

The B.C. Lumber Trade Council termed the remaining duties ‘frustrating and disappointing’.

Jerome Pelletier, President, New Brunswick Lumber Producers termed the decision “a significant improvement”. The United Steelworkers union (USW) welcomed the announcement, but urged the governments to continue their efforts in solving the softwood lumber dispute, as it has led to several mill closures and employee layoffs over the past several years.