NAFTA Panel rules U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber are inconsistent with U.S. law

Global Affairs Canada announced that a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Chapter 19 panel issued it’s latest ruling on U.S. countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber.

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Mary Ng, issued a statement regarding the decision “Canada welcomes the panel’s decision that U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber are inconsistent with U.S. law.”

“Although we are disappointed by certain aspects of yesterday’s decision, it is still an important step toward the elimination of U.S. countervailing duties and supports Canada’s long-standing position that U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber products are unfair and unwarranted.”

The U.S. Department of Commerce has 90 days to revise duties based on the NAFTA panel’s findings.

Link: NAFTA panel decision