Canadian softwood lumber producers will see higher duties on their exports to the United States.
The U.S. Commerce Department announced Wednesday that tariffs for most producers would increase to 17.9 per cent. That is nearly double the current rate of 8.99 per cent.
In New Brunswick, J.D. Irving, Limited’s rate will nearly quadruple from 4.2 per cent to 15 per cent.
Federal Trade Minister Mary Ng said they are disappointed the U.S. has decided to increase the “unfair duties” and called on the country to eliminate them.
“These unjustified duties harm Canadian communities, businesses, and workers. They are also a tax on U.S. consumers, raising the costs of housing, renovations, and rentals at a time when housing affordability is already a significant concern for many,” Ng said in a news release Wednesday.
Ng said the federal government will continue to vigorously defend the country’s softwood lumber industry and the workers and communities it supports, “including through litigation under CUSMA’s Chapter 10, as well as NAFTA’s Chapter 19 and at the WTO.”
The trade minister noted that previous rulings have found Canada to be a fair trading partner.
