U.S. could double tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber imports

The U.S. Department of Commerce is not expected to issue final decision until November

The U.S. Department of Commerce is conducting a second administrative review of its anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders on certain softwood lumber products from Canada.

The U.S. conducts annual reviews of anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders. The annual review process is similar to the process used for initial investigations but applies only to companies that are subject to review.

The preliminary results of the current review propose a combined countervailing and anti-dumping duty rate of 18.32%, more than twice the current combined rate of 8.99%.

However, the preliminary results for this second administrative review and do not take effect now. The U.S. Government is not expected to issue final results until November 2021.

The Canadian Government advised that it is following the situation and will include any eventual rate changes in its appeal processes.