2023-08-22 14:25:46
(Washington) Ottawa opposes the latest US decision to continue imposing tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.
Federal Commerce Minister Mary Ng has announced that Canada is now seeking a judicial review of administrative reviews conducted last month by the U.S. Department of Commerce into these tariffs – which she calls “unfair, unfair unjust and illegal”.
Minister Ng framed Ottawa’s move as an effort to amplify exporters’ concerns while urging the United States to consider a negotiated solution to a dispute that has dogged Canada-U.S. relations for decades. .
“We have to keep exploring new ways (to solve the problem), because the industry expects that from us, from me and from my government – (and) their workers too,” she said. Tuesday at a cabinet retreat in Charlottetown.
“It would be far better if we got to the negotiating table, got together and reached an agreement. But in the meantime, we will use all the tools at our disposal to defend the industry. »
The latest U.S. Administrative Review provided slight tariff relief, but kept the combined rate at 7.99%.
Minister Ng is also urging US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to sit down and negotiate a resolution to this dispute.
Reaching such a deal would be difficult, however, because the United States fundamentally challenges Canada’s long-standing regulatory system, which it says disadvantages American lumber producers.
Mme Tai said the United States would be willing to negotiate, but only if Canada abandoned the regime that allows provinces to set prices for timber taken from Crown land.
“For years, the United States has imposed inequitable, unfair and illegal duties on softwood lumber from Canada, which hurt Canadian industry and drive up housing costs in both of our countries,” said Minister Ng said in a statement.
“Canada is taking the necessary steps to actively defend the interests of its softwood lumber industry and the workers and communities that depend on it. »
Note to readers: Corrected version. A previous version discussed a judicial review of administrative reviews conducted last month by the US Treasury Department on these tariffs. In fact, the reviews were conducted by the US Department of Commerce.
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