More bad news for the forestry industry in New Brunswick as more American duties will be imposed on softwood lumber from Canada after a preliminary ruling by the U.S. Commerce Department. It concluded softwood lumber from Canada has been sold in the U.S. at less than fair market value.
When combined with earlier tariffs, the applicable duty rates will go from about 10 per cent for J-D Irving to almost 27 per cent for other New Brunswick lumber producers. J-D Irving argued successfully that it doesn’t receive government subsidies.
Last year, imports of softwood lumber from Canada were valued at more than $5.6 billion.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are exempt.