Statement by Canada on U.S. Department of Commerce duties determination on Canadian uncoated groundwood paper

August 2, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final countervailing and anti-dumping duty determination on imports of Canadian uncoated groundwood paper:

“Despite the slight reduction in some duties, Canada remains disappointed with the final duty rates announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce on U.S. imports of Canadian uncoated groundwood paper, which includes newsprint and printing papers. These final duty rates will take effect only if the U.S. International Trade Commission rules that Canadian imports have injured the U.S. domestic industry.

“For decades, U.S. publishers and printers have relied on fairly and competitively priced imports of Canadian newsprint. Recent bipartisan testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., reflected widespread concern among U.S. lawmakers about the damage tariffs on Canadian newsprint would inflict on the American publishing and printing industry. The tariffs would be particularly hurtful for smaller communities, resulting in higher costs and even job losses at local newspapers and publications.

“Canada’s forest industry sustains good, middle-class jobs and provides economic opportunities for rural and Indigenous communities across our country. Our government will continue to work with our forest industry, provinces and territories, and communities to defend this vital sector and help diversify its trade with new international markets.”