MONTREAL: The U.S. International Trade Commission says it found there was a reasonable claim that softwood lumber products from Canada materially injured American producers, setting the stage for the imposition of preliminary duties.
The trade commission announced today that it made a preliminary determination of harm from Canadian lumber that is “allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.”
The finding could result in duties that Canadian softwood producers say would result in job losses and plant closures north of the border. Canada exported about US$4.7 billion worth of lumber to the U.S. last year, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
