Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on final U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement regarding the imposition today by the United States of final countervailing and anti-dumping duties on imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products:

“Canada’s forestry industry supports good middle-class jobs in communities across our country. The Government of Canada will continue to vigorously defend our industry and its workers against protectionist trade practices.

“U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber are unfair, unwarranted and troubling. They are harmful to Canada’s lumber producers, workers and communities, and they add to the cost of home building, renovations and other projects for American middle-class families.

“Canada has already begun legal challenges of these duties under NAFTA and through the WTO, where Canadian litigation has proven successful in the past.

“We will continue to work with the provinces and territories, as well as with Canadian industry and workers, to find an enduring solution. Canada will also continue to engage with the U.S. Administration and with American legislators to come to a new agreement on softwood lumber.”