CALGARY, ALTA. – Officials in Alberta announced they scored a major win in their softwood lumber legal battle with the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has lowered tariffs for forest companies that participated in the first administrative review of softwood lumber litigation.
The decision reduces tariff rates retrospectively for lumber exports from January 2018 to present, as well as rates applied to future exports.
“We will continue to defend Alberta foresters because we know that they operate fairly while maintaining the highest environmental standards,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of agriculture and forestry. “The U.S lumber tariffs are unfounded and hurt our industry in Canada and consumers in the United States.”
The province stated that while it agrees with the decision, tariffs of any amount on Canadian softwood lumber exports are unfair.
“Alberta’s forestry sector plays a critical role in our economy, contributing billions to the provincial GDP in 2019, with more than $3 billion in exports,” said Doug Schweitzer, minister of jobs. “Tariffs impose additional costs to our industry, compromising the competitiveness and economic output of our mills. We want to protect the livelihood of hard-working Albertans across our province.”
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