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Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
B.C.‘s independent wood manufacturers decry retroactive U.S. softwood duties
VANCOUVER - British Columbia's independent wood product makers say hundreds of small- and medium-sized manufacturers may be forced to shut down in light of the latest decision from the United States to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood. The province's Independent Wood Processors Association says in a release that the U.S. Commerce Department's decision this week to raise duties also includes a requirement for Canadian companies to retroactively remit duties for products shipped to the United States since Jan.1, 2023. Association chair Andy Rielly says in a statement that the requirement to pay duties on products shipped in the last 31 months could not only force small B.C. producers to shut down, but may also threaten operators' personal assets as they may have to risk using their homes as collateral to secure bonds to pay. Rielly is urging the Canadian government to create support programs to make sure B.C.'s independent wood processors can keep workers employed and their companies running. The U.S. Commerce Department said earlier in the week it will raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood to 20.56 per cent, drawing the ire of several B.C. industry groups such as the B.C. Council of Forest Industries and the B.C. Lumber Trade Council. The Independent Wood Processors Association says the the 'all-others' rate affecting its members will be raised from 14.4 per cent to 27.3 per cent, with the possibly of another increase 'in the coming weeks' potentially pushing the duties for their products to as high as 35 per cent. 'Until the Canadian government can negotiate a settlement to this long-festering dispute, we need a government support program to keep our workers employed,' Rielly says, adding an overall duty of 35-per-cent would force members to pay retroactive duties of 27 per cent on products already shipped. Association executive director Brian Menzies describes independent wood product producers as 'collateral damage' in the trade war, and says the only hope they have of avoiding the hit is either 'a favourable appeal from the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement' or 'pursuing a bilateral negotiated resolution.' 'We should not face export taxes or quotas,' Menzies says. 'Our raw materials are not subsidized, and we are too small to 'dump' our products in the U.S. market. 'We acquire logs and lumber at 'arm's length' from various suppliers on the open market, just like claims made by members of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, and yet our Canadian companies along with U.S. consumers must pay these unfair and costly duties.' Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously said that a future U.S.-Canada trade deal could include softwood lumber quotas. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C.'s independent wood manufacturers decry retroactive U.S. softwood duties
VANCOUVER – British Columbia's independent wood product makers say hundreds of small- and medium-sized manufacturers may be forced to shut down in light of the latest decision from the United States to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood. The province's Independent Wood Processors Association says in a release that the U.S. Commerce Department's decision this week to raise duties also includes a requirement for Canadian companies to retroactively remit duties for products shipped to the United States since Jan.1, 2023. Association chair Andy Rielly says in a statement that the requirement to pay duties on products shipped in the last 31 months could not only force small B.C. producers to shut down, but may also threaten operators' personal assets as they may have to risk using their homes as collateral to secure bonds to pay. Rielly is urging the Canadian government to create support programs to make sure B.C.'s independent wood processors can keep workers employed and their companies running. The U.S. Commerce Department said earlier in the week it will raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood to 20.56 per cent, drawing the ire of several B.C. industry groups such as the B.C. Council of Forest Industries and the B.C. Lumber Trade Council. The Independent Wood Processors Association says the the 'all-others' rate affecting its members will be raised from 14.4 per cent to 27.3 per cent, with the possibly of another increase 'in the coming weeks' potentially pushing the duties for their products to as high as 35 per cent. 'Until the Canadian government can negotiate a settlement to this long-festering dispute, we need a government support program to keep our workers employed,' Rielly says, adding an overall duty of 35-per-cent would force members to pay retroactive duties of 27 per cent on products already shipped. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Association executive director Brian Menzies describes independent wood product producers as 'collateral damage' in the trade war, and says the only hope they have of avoiding the hit is either 'a favourable appeal from the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement' or 'pursuing a bilateral negotiated resolution.' 'We should not face export taxes or quotas,' Menzies says. 'Our raw materials are not subsidized, and we are too small to 'dump' our products in the U.S. market. 'We acquire logs and lumber at 'arm's length' from various suppliers on the open market, just like claims made by members of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, and yet our Canadian companies along with U.S. consumers must pay these unfair and costly duties.' Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously said that a future U.S.-Canada trade deal could include softwood lumber quotas. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2025.
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Epoch Times
US Imposing 20.56 Percent Anti-Dumping Duties on Canadian Softwood
British Columbia lumber organizations are condemning the decision by the U.S. Commerce Department to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood to 20.56 percent, calling them unjustified, punitive and protectionist. The B.C. Council of Forest Industries issued a statement Friday saying the trade action will harm workers, families and communities across the province and Canada.
Global News
5 days ago
- Business
- Global News
U.S. raises anti-dumping duties on softwood lumber above 20%
British Columbia lumber organizations are condemning the decision by the U.S. Commerce Department to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 20.56 per cent, calling them unjustified, punitive and protectionist. The B.C. Council of Forest Industries issued a statement Friday saying the trade action will harm workers, families and communities across the province and Canada. The council is calling on the Canadian government to make finding a resolution to the softwood dispute a top national priority, saying the latest escalation from the Commerce Department shows they can't wait for the United States to act. The B.C. Lumber Trade Council says in a separate statement that if the U.S. department's pending review on countervailing duties is in line with its preliminary results, the combined rate against Canadian softwood shipped to the United States will be well over 30 per cent. Story continues below advertisement Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier this month that a future trade agreement with the United States could include quotas on softwood lumber, an area that has caused friction between two countries for years before the latest trade war. 0:36 U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber 'unjustified' and 'fundamentally misguided': Carney The American department had issued a preliminary anti-dumping rate in March of 20.07 per cent, up from 7.66 per cent set three years before, which is in addition to the countervailing duties of 6.74 per cent. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This decision represents yet another example of ongoing U.S. protectionism at a time when cross-border co-operation should be a shared priority,' the statement from the B.C. Lumber Trade Council said. The B.C. Council of Forest Industries said the provincial government could make a number of changes that would help the industry keep mills operating. By activating timber sales, fast-tracking permits and cutting through regulatory gridlock, it said B.C. could send a signal that it is serious about rebuilding a sustainable forest sector. Story continues below advertisement 'These unjustified and punitive trade actions continue to harm workers, families, and communities across British Columbia and Canada — and have gone unresolved for far too long,' the statement from the council said.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
U.S. imposing 20.56% anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood
VANCOUVER - British Columbia lumber organizations are condemning the decision by the U.S. Commerce Department to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood to 20.56 per cent, calling them unjustified, punitive and protectionist. The B.C. Council of Forest Industries issued a statement Friday saying the trade action will harm workers, families and communities across the province and Canada.
