U.S. duties on Canadian softwood expected to jump

Canadian lumber producers are awaiting a decision from the U.S. Commerce Department on preliminary rates for anti-dumping duties on softwood lumber. Currently, most producers are paying 7.66 percent, but trade observers say that figure could rise to 20 percent. A preliminary increase on countervailing duties is expected in May. It could see those rates rise to 10 percent from the 6.74 percent in effect at present.