The BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) has expressed deep disappointment with the US Department of Commerce’s decision to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 20.56%. This decision is expected to result in a combined rate of over 30% when added to the forthcoming countervailing duty review. The BCLTC views this move as another example of US protectionism, which is detrimental to cross-border cooperation.
According to Kurt Niquidet, president of the BCLTC, these duties are unfair and harmful, affecting not only Canadian forestry workers and their families but also American homebuilders and consumers. The duties will increase costs for American companies, ultimately harming the US economy. Niquidet emphasized the need for a lasting resolution to this long-standing dispute, which has been ongoing for decades.
The BCLTC is urging both the Canadian and US governments to pursue a fair and durable agreement that provides long-term certainty in the softwood lumber trade. Instead of resorting to costly litigation, the council believes that a negotiated agreement is the best way to resolve the dispute. In the meantime, the BCLTC will continue to work closely with the Government of Canada and industry partners to challenge the duties through all available legal channels.
The BCLTC is committed to standing up for Canadian producers and the thousands of workers and communities that depend on a stable, rules-based trading relationship with the US. The council believes that a fair and equitable agreement is essential for the long-term sustainability of the forestry industry in British Columbia. By working together, the BCLTC hopes to achieve a resolution that benefits both Canadian and American companies, and ultimately, consumers on both sides of the border. The US Department of Commerce’s decision is seen as a setback, but the BCLTC remains determined to find a solution that promotes cooperation and mutual benefit.