Canada has taken the next step in its fight against US softwood lumber duties and asked the World Trade Organization for consultations with the United States regarding those duties.
The US recently imposed anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of softwood lumber from Canada. The requests were circulated to WTO members on 30 November.
Canada considers the US anti-dumping and countervailing measures to be inconsistent with provisions of the WTO's Agreement on Anti-dumping, the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994.
As such, the Canadian government has asked WTO to look into the matter and, if necessary, establish a panel for litigating the dispute.
Should the United States fail to bring these measures into conformity with the act, Canada intends to request accelerated proceedings in this dispute .
“The US decision to impose punitive anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber producers is unfair, unwarranted and deeply troubling,” the Canadian government said in a statement.
“We will forcefully defend Canada’s softwood lumber industry.”
