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The softwood lumber dispute

26.04.2017

The softwood lumber dispute

The U.S. President, Mr Trump has declared to introduce tariffs of up to 24%  on imported softwood lumber from Canada. 

The President, Mr Trump announced the new tariff at a White House gathering of conservative journalists, shortly before the Commerce Department said it would impose countervailing duties ranging from 3 percent to 24.1 percent on Canadian lumber producers including West Fraser Timber Co.

According to a joint statement from Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr this measure is  an "unfair and punitive duty" that will hurt workers on both sides of the border and will raise U.S. home prices.Canada "will vigorously defend the interests of the Canadian softwood lumber industry, including through litigation," the ministers said, adding they nonetheless "remain confident that a negotiated settlement is not only possible but in the best interests of both countries.”