WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the final determination of a combined anti-subsidy and anti-dumping duty rate of 14.54% in the fifth annual review of Canadian softwood lumber imports into the United States.

Andrew Miller, chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition and CEO of Stimson Lumber, said the ruling substantiates that Canada continues to subsidize and dump its softwood lumber products in the United States, distorting the U.S. softwood lumber market to the detriment of U.S. sawmills, their employees and communities.

"This even higher level of unfair trade by Canada could not have come at a worse time for domestic producers," said Andrew Miller, chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition and CEO of Stimson Lumber. "Lumber demand and prices are at record lows and mills across the country are struggling to keep afloat."

In a statement, Miller said the increased levels of unfair trade confirmed by the Commerce Department make it clear that Canadian unfair trade practices are making a bad situation worse by accelerating and deepening market downcycles, resulting in today's extremely low lumber prices, forcing U.S. mill closures and layoffs.

The sharp increase in duty was signaled in February, but the 14.54% rate went even higher than expected. In February, the U.S. Department of Commerce said it planned to significantly increase softwood lumber duties, saying it would set them at 13.86 percent. The previous duty was 8.05 per cent.

Bruce Ralston, Canadian Minister of Forests, said "I am immensely disappointed with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to increase unfair and unwarranted softwood lumber duties. The confirmation of this direction that was first tabled by the U.S. in February 2024 takes us in the wrong direction, hurting people who work in forestry and all British Columbians. Alongside the Government of Canada and our partners in the forestry sector, we will continue to fight unfair duties through every avenue.

“The many hardworking people in B.C.’s forest industry have experienced years of unfair American duties. In addition to hurting forestry communities in B.C. and across Canada, these unjustified duties are increasing the cost of building homes in the U.S., making life harder for people south of the border."

Mary Tg, Canadian minister of export, told the CBC that the increase was disappointing, baseless and unfair. "U.S. duties on softwood lumber unjustifiably harm consumers and producers on both sides of the border. This latest measure will negatively impact workers and their communities," said Ng.