US lumber industry is materially injured by reason of imports of softwood lumber from Canada

A final ruling in the US-Canada softwood lumber dispute has seen the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) uphold tariffs on Canadian softwood imports to the US, TTJ reported. The ruling on December 7 determined that the US lumber industry is materially injured by reason of imports of softwood lumber from Canada. As a result of the decision, the US Department of Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty on imports of this product from Canada.

However, the USITC said imports would not be subject to retroactive duties. The US Commerce Department last month lowered the preliminary duties, with most Canadian producers now paying a combined countervailing and anti-dumping rate of 20.83%. According to the Canadian Press, Canada is challenging the duties under both the North American Free Trade Agreement and at the World Trade Organization. The NAFTA dispute panel has to make a ruling by next fall. The WTO process could take years.