According to Reuters, the US has decided to almost double the duties on Canadian softwood lumber from most producers to 17,9 %. The current rate for most companies is about 9 %. 
Photo: Torbjörn Johnsen
The USA raises the duty rate for Canadian lumber
The Canadian lumber export is an essential trade for the Canadian forest industry. The industry has a total turnover of approximately Twenty million euros and employs 185 000 workers in Canada.
The US claims that the Canadian state subsidizes the raw material from the forest by selling it too cheap on the root. According to the US, the market principles are manipulated as Canada provides cheap timber from the state-owned forest.
“Canada is extremely disappointed that the US has decided to increase the unfair duties it is imposing on Canadian softwood lumber from most producers to 17,9 %,” said Mary Ng, Canadian Trade Minister.
“Canada calls on the United States to cease imposing these unwarranted duties on Canadian softwood lumber products,” she added.
