Canada Criticizes US Move to Nearly Double Softwood Lumber Tariff

Canada is criticizing the U.S. Department of Commerce for nearly doubling the duties it imposes on softwood lumber, saying the decision is both “unfair” and “unwarranted.” International trade minister Mary Ng says the U.S. has increased the duties on Canadian softwood lumber from 8.05 percent to 14.54 percent—a nearly 6.5 percent increase. “Baseless and unfair U.S. duties on softwood lumber unjustifiably harm consumers and producers on both sides of the border,” Ng said in an Aug. 13 statement. “We will always fight for the best interest of Canadians and continue to use all available avenues to vigorously defend the workers, businesses, and communities who rely on softwood lumber for their livelihoods.”...