Ottawa still working on resolving the softwood lumber dispute with the United States

Last week Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Mary Ng, met with Canadian softwood lumber industry leaders to discuss the issue of unwarranted and U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber.

The Minister provided an update on recent engagement with the United States and on the steps Canada is taking to challenge U.S. duties under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and before the World Trade Organization (WTO).

International panels have consistently found Canada to be a fair-trading partner and that these duties are inconsistent with U.S. international trade obligations.

Minister Ng underscored Canada’s interest in exploring all avenues to resolve the dispute, including negotiations on a new softwood lumber agreement, which the United States has blocked and refused to participate in.

The Minister noted her commitment to maintaining a dialogue with Canadian softwood lumber industry leaders to identify solutions to the issue that benefit the forestry industry, its workers, and communities