January 27, 2023

U.S. proceeds with fourth administrative reviews of duties on Canadian softwood lumber

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Mary Ng, issued a statement regarding the fourth administrative reviews by the U.S. Department of Commerce of its anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on certain softwood lumber products from Canada.

The U.S. Department of Commerce conducts an annual review of anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders. The annual review process is similar to the process used for initial investigations but applies only to companies subject to review.

The U.S. review reflects preliminary results for the fourth administrative reviews, which do not take effect immediately. The U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to issue final results in summer 2023.

In her statement Minister Ng said ""With these preliminary results, the U.S. Department of Commerce has indicated its intention to maintain its unjustified duties on imports of Canadian softwood lumber. This is a disappointing decision to many on both sides of our shared border.

"Canada has long been an essential supplier to the U.S. market, and these unjustified duties continue to act as a tax on American consumers, increasing building costs at a time of surging inflation.

"U.S. duties on Canadian softwood hurt forest sector businesses, workers and communities across Canada, and have been ruled illegal by the WTO.

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