Lumber organizations in British Columbia are strongly criticizing the U.S. Commerce Department’s decision to raise anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 20.56%, calling the move unjustified, punitive, and protectionist.
In a statement released Friday, the B.C. Council of Forest Industries warned that the decision will have damaging effects on workers, families, and communities across both B.C. and the rest of Canada. The council is urging the federal government to prioritize resolving the long-standing softwood lumber dispute, arguing that relying on the U.S. to act is no longer a viable option.
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Meanwhile, the B.C. Lumber Trade Council noted that if the U.S. department’s upcoming review of countervailing duties aligns with its preliminary findings, Canadian softwood lumber exports could face total combined duties exceeding 30%.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Mark Carney suggested that any future trade deal with the U.S. might involve softwood lumber quotas—an issue that has long strained Canada-U.S. trade relations.
The U.S. had previously proposed a preliminary anti-dumping rate of 20.07% in March, up sharply from the 7.66% rate set three years ago. This is in addition to the current 6.74% countervailing duty.
The B.C. Lumber Trade Council denounced the decision as “another example of ongoing U.S. protectionism” at a time when both countries should be prioritizing cooperation.
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The B.C. Council of Forest Industries added that the provincial government could take several immediate steps to support the industry, such as activating timber sales, expediting permits, and cutting regulatory red tape to demonstrate a commitment to revitalizing the forest sector.
“These unjust and punitive trade actions continue to inflict damage on workers, families, and communities in B.C. and across Canada—and have been unresolved for far too long,” the council stated.
B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar also weighed in, saying the forestry sector is bearing the brunt of U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to harm the Canadian economy. Parmar noted that B.C.’s forest industry has already endured years of uncertainty, and the increased duties are only adding to its challenges.
He said Premier David Eby has been in talks with other provincial leaders to coordinate a “Team Canada” response, and has appointed Don Wright, a former deputy minister to the premier, as a strategic adviser to help tackle the softwood lumber crisis.
“We’re going to fight for our workers, our communities, and the future of this sector,” Parmar affirmed.
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