Statement by Minister Ng on U.S. Department of Commerce fifth review of duties on Canadian softwood lumber

August 13, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, today issued the following statement on the final results of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s fifth administrative review of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on certain Canadian softwood lumber products:

“Canada is extremely disappointed that the U.S. Department of Commerce has significantly increased its unfair and unwarranted duties on softwood lumber from Canada, from 8.05% to 14.54%.

“Baseless and unfair U.S. duties on softwood lumber unjustifiably harm consumers and producers on both sides of the border. This latest measure will negatively impact workers and their communities. U.S. consumers and businesses that need Canadian lumber will bear the burden of these duties, making housing even less affordable for Americans.

“It is in the best interests of both Canada and the United States to find a lasting resolution to this long-standing dispute. We will always fight for the best interest of Canadians and continue to use all available avenues to vigorously defend the workers, businesses, and communities who rely on softwood lumber for their livelihoods. These include litigation under NAFTA and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, at the U.S. Court of International Trade and at the WTO.”

Quick facts

• The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) conducts a yearly review of its anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders.
• Commerce initiated the fifth administrative reviews of its softwood lumber AD and CVD duty orders on March 14, 2023. It issued the preliminary results of these reviews on February 1, 2024.
• Commerce issued its final results on August 13, 2024. The new combined duty rate that will apply to most softwood lumber exports is 14.54% compared to the previous rate of 8.05% from the fourth administrative reviews.
• The new rate will be applied retroactively to exports made in 2022 and will apply to new exports of softwood lumber products to the United States from companies that were subject to the fifth administrative reviews.

Associated links

• Minister Ng welcomes NAFTA dispute panel ruling regarding U.S. countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber
• Statement by Minister Ng on U.S. Department of Commerce preliminary review of duties on Canadian softwood lumber
• Statement by Minister Ng on U.S. duty rates on Canadian softwood lumber
• Frequently asked questions: Softwood lumber
• Background: Canada-United States softwood lumber trade