Ontario is welcoming a World Trade Organization panel ruling that the countervailing duties the U.S. placed on Canadian lumber exports in 2017 violates the U.S.’s WTO trade obligations.
A joint statement has been released by Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli and Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski.
It states by ruling strongly in their favour, the WTO has reaffirmed their position that U.S. duties on their lumber are unjustified.
The province says the decision is an important step in ensuring the ongoing success of the forest industry in Ontario.
The government stresses it’s important to vigorously defend and support the sector and note Ontario families who rely on the forest industry have been hurt by these unfair actions.
Fedeli and Yakabuski state they will continue to work closely with the industry, the provinces and the federal government, and use all available avenues to fight unfair duties on Canadian softwood lumber.
They also believe fair and open trade is the best outcome for consumers on both sides of the border.
