Canada Discontinues Export Charges on Softwood Lumber, Following Arbitration Decision
The Canadian government will discontinue collecting export duties on softwood lumber exports from Ontario and Quebec to the U.S., after a London Court of International Arbitration ruled March 26 in favor of Canada in a softwood lumber dispute, said the Canadian government. The U.S. initially alleged Canada was permitting companies to harvest softwood lumber from public lands and export it at prices below those agreed to in the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (here).
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“Canada is committed to the success of the Softwood Lumber Agreement between Canada and the United States,” said Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast in a press release. “The agreement was designed to create a predictable trade environment and to bring stability and certainty for producers and consumers on both sides of the border. It continues to serve our industries well in difficult economic circumstances.” Canada added charges to softwood lumber exported from Ontario and Quebec in 2011 (see 11021449). The London Court of International Arbitration decision said Canada has no obligation to continue to apply the Compensatory Adjustments (here).