The U.S. is hiking its tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber to a rate of 14.54 percent. That’s nearly double the previous rate of 8.05 percent. The move is the latest salvo in the perennial dispute over Canadian stumpage fees on Crown land, which American lumber producers consider an unfair subsidy, a position consistently rejected by international tribunals.
“Baseless and unfair U.S. duties on softwood lumber unjustifiably harm consumers and producers on both sides of the border,” international trade minister Mary Ng wrote in a statement. “This latest measure will negatively impact workers and their communities.”
