The True Post (Web News)The United States has announced significant anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber, increasing the overall rate to 20.56%. The move is expected to put further pressure on housing and construction costs, raising concerns among Canadian producers and exporters.
The new rate marks an increase from previous years and is expected to raise construction costs in the U.S., where Canadian softwood is widely used in home building. Canadian officials and industry representatives have condemned the duties, calling them unfair and harmful to cross-border trade.
The softwood lumber dispute between the two countries is longstanding and has led to multiple trade challenges at the World Trade Organization and under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA). Canadian producers argue that their industry is not subsidized, while the U.S. maintains that unfair trade practices continue.
The higher duties could also lead to price hikes for consumers and put additional strain on the housing market, especially at a time when affordability is already a major issue in North America.
Talks to resolve the dispute have remained stalled, and Canada has stated it will continue to pursue legal avenues to challenge the U.S. decision.
