Statement by Minister Ng on U.S. Department of Commerce preliminary review of duties on Canadian softwood lumber

February 1, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, today issued the following statement regarding the preliminary results of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s fifth administrative review of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on certain Canadian softwood lumber products:

“Canada is extremely disappointed that the U.S. Department of Commerce has signalled its intention to significantly increase its duties on softwood lumber from Canada from 8.05% to an estimated 13.86%. This measure is entirely unwarranted.

“U.S. duties on softwood lumber already unjustifiably harm consumers and producers on both sides of the border. Increased duties will further harm the Canadian softwood lumber industry, workers and communities, and make housing even less affordable for Americans.

“We will continue to work closely with provinces, territories and industry to defend Canadian interests through all available avenues, including litigation under NAFTA, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, the U.S. Court of International Trade and at the WTO.

“Canada is confident that an end to these unfair U.S. duties will benefit both countries. We remain ready and willing to work with the United States toward a negotiated solution that allows for a return to predictable cross-border trade in softwood lumber.”

Quick facts

• The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) conducts an annual review of its anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders.
•  Commerce initiated the fifth administrative reviews of its softwood lumber AD and CVD duty orders on March 14, 2023. It issued the preliminary results of these reviews on February 1, 2024.
• Since the review results are preliminary, they do not take effect.
• Commerce is expected to issue its final results in summer 2024, at which time they will take effect.

Associated links

• Canada challenges U.S. decision to maintain softwood lumber duties (January 17, 2024)
• Statement by Minister Ng on U.S. International Trade Commission determination on softwood lumber products from Canada (November 30, 2023)
• Minister Ng welcomes NAFTA dispute panel ruling on U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber (October 5, 2023)
• Canada challenges U.S. softwood lumber duties (September 1, 2023)