In response to the recent decision by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding the five-year "sunset" review of countervailing and anti-dumping duty orders on Canadian imports, Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, and Jagrup Brar, Minister of State for Trade, issued a joint statement expressing deep disappointment.
The United States ITC's review has upheld the imposition of unjustified duties on Canadian softwood lumber, it said. Since the inception of the dispute, the British Columbia (B.C.) government has collaborated closely with the federal government and other affected provinces in challenging these duty orders through various avenues, including the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, and the World Trade Organization.
The ministers highlighted that previous dispute settlement panels have affirmed their stance that the duties are unfounded. They emphasized the negative impact of these duties on both sides of the border, causing uncertainty for forestry professionals and communities in Canada and increasing the cost of home construction in the United States.
Ralston and Brar stressed the importance of collaboration to strengthen the forest sector for both Canada and the United States, asserting that working together would benefit both parties. The joint statement reiterated B.C.'s commitment to defending the 56,000 individuals employed in its forest industry against these restrictions.
The ministers pledged to stand firm against any unfair actions targeting forestry workers, expressing determination to pursue claims through all available avenues. They affirmed their ongoing collaboration with the federal government, provincial partners, and the forest industry to achieve a just outcome for B.C.'s forest sector.
The "sunset" review is a mandated process under U.S. law for the ITC and the U.S. Department of Commerce to assess the necessity of existing anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders every five years.
