Canada once again challenging softwood lumber duties

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OTTAWA, Ont. – Canada is once again challenging the U.S. over its softwood lumber duties.

The most recent NAFTA challenge centers around revised U.S. duties.

The complaints follow a Dec. 14 countervailing duty administrative review in the U.S. During the review, the Americans dropped the existing duty rate less than two per cent, to 17.18 per cent.

They also reduced anti-dumping duties to just over four per cent (about one-half of the original rate) for a combined duty of 22.2 per cent.

“Canadians are justifiably shocked at recent U.S. actions in the softwood lumber dispute,” International Trade Minister Jim Peterson said in a release. “Canada will continue to challenge these actions and ensure that the United States abides by its international trade obligations.”

The latest appeal will take up to two years to resolve, predicts John Allan, a lumber industry spokesman. Canadian lumber exporters have shelled out $4 billion in duties since they were first introduced by the U.S.

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