Canada launches challenge to U.S. softwood duties

The federal government is formally challenging U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber under the mechanisms of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement. International Trade Minister Mary Ng made the announcement this week after denouncing the tariffs as “unwarranted and unfair” in a statement earlier this month. While the U.S. more than halved the rates a few days later, Canadian lumber producers have not been mollified. Ng stressed that the duties not only harm Canadian manufacturers but also function as a tax on U.S. customers.