Statement by Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade on WTO panel decision on Canadian softwood lumber 

August 24, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, today issued the following statement regarding the latest World Trade Organization (WTO) panel decision on United States duties on Canadian softwood lumber:

“The Government of Canada welcomes the unanimous WTO panel ruling that U.S. countervailing duties against Canadian softwood lumber are inconsistent with the WTO obligations of the United States.

“Canada’s forestry sector supports hundreds of thousands of good, middle-class jobs for hard-working Canadians in communities across our country, and we will always stand up for them.

“Canada remains unequivocal: U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber are completely unwarranted and unfair. This decision confirms that. Canada does not subsidize its softwood lumber industry, and that is why we have challenged these U.S. duties at the WTO and under the former North American Free Trade Agreement.

“Canada expects the United States to comply with its WTO obligations. U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber must not persist. They have caused unjustified harm to Canadian industry and U.S. consumers alike. U.S. homebuilders rely on Canadian lumber, and the current record-high lumber prices are hurting the economic recovery in both countries. Right now, during these difficult times, businesses and people in both our countries need support, not the burden of additional taxes.

“We will continue to work closely with the provinces and our softwood lumber industry to defend the forestry sector and its workers.”