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The chairman of the BC Timber Trade Commission said that given the current record high timber prices, the US move to double tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber was “especially shocking.”
Susan Yurkovich stated that the preliminary countervailing and anti-dumping duties for “all other” products will be substantially increased from 8.99% to 18.32%, which will hurt the United States facing a market with record prices Consumers, because supply cannot meet demand.
She called on the American industry to end its decades-long campaign, alleging that Canadian timber received unfair subsidies, and instead cooperated with Canada to meet the world’s demand for “low-carbon wood products.”
The administration of former US President Donald Trump imposed a 20% tariff on Canadian cork before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2018. However, following the decision of the World Trade Organization to support Canada, It was reduced to about 9% at the end of last year.
In another press release, Jason Brochu, co-chair of the American Timber Federation, praised the Department of Commerce for its commitment to enforce trade laws against Canadian timber imports that are “subsidized and unfairly traded.”
The alliance said that the U.S. industry remains open to the new softwood timber trade agreement between the United States and Canada, and “if and when” Canada has shown that it is serious about the negotiations.
Yurkovic said in a press release: “We found that today’s preliminary interest rate rises are disturbing.”
“Given the record price of wood and the surge in demand in the United States, this is especially shocking because families across the country are seeking repairs, alterations, and construction of new homes.
“Because U.S. producers are still unable to meet domestic demand, the continuous actions of the industry, resulting in these unnecessary tariffs, will eventually further harm U.S. consumers by increasing costs.”
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