Bruce Ralston, British Columbia's Minister of Forests, has welcomed a NAFTA Chapter 19 panel ruling requiring the U.S. Department of Commerce to review its countervailing duty determination on Canadian softwood lumber. This directive could bring relief to the forestry sector of British Columbia, which has been affected by these duties.
"For years, unfair U.S. duties on softwood lumber have harmed people on both sides of the border," Ralston stated. He added that these duties have economically impacted British Columbia's forestry industry, increased costs for U.S. homebuilders, and pushed up prices for consumers. The NAFTA panel's decision mandates a reassessment of these duties by the Commerce Department but does not eliminate them immediately.
Minister Ralston highlighted that this ruling aligns with the claims of both the British Columbia provincial government and the Canadian federal government that the imposed duties are unjust. He noted that while the panel's decision is a step forward, it does not end the duties and stated that the province will continue to work with the Canadian government and industry stakeholders to advocate for the complete removal of these duties.
