U.S. reduces duty rates on Canadian softwood but levies still hefty
The U.S. Department of Commerce said Thursday it plans to lower duty rates on most Canadian softwood lumber, but producers would still face significant levies of 34.83 per cent on exports to the United States. The proposed revisions would reduce anti-dumping duties to 10.66% and slightly lower countervailing duties to 14.17%, bringing combined duties to 24.83%, or 34.83% when existing tariffs are included. The changes, based on a 2024 market review and expected to take effect by late summer 2026, drew criticism from Canadian industry groups over housing costs, while U.S. lumber advocates defended the measures as necessary to counter what they describe as unfair trade practices.
