A preliminary decision to reduce steep border tariffs on Canadian lumber imports is a step in the right direction, but a long way from relief for the struggling B.C. industry, the B.C. Council of Forest Industries says.

A preliminary finding by the U.S. Commerce Department on the long-running trade dispute could cut the border duties by half, but that won91裸聊视频檛 be clear until a final adjudication in August, COFI president Susan Yurkovich said Wednesday.

And the ruling is for 91裸聊视频渁dministrative review one,91裸聊视频� a period ending in 2019 when the North American lumber industry was making its highest returns ever. 91裸聊视频淎dministrative review two91裸聊视频� began on Jan. 1, and could result in further penalties on Canada91裸聊视频檚 producers.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 Groundhog Day,91裸聊视频� Yurkovich said of the continuing claims of 91裸聊视频渄umping91裸聊视频� and 91裸聊视频渋njury91裸聊视频� coming from U.S. producers. 91裸聊视频淲e continue to keep fighting but it91裸聊视频檚 a very long process and it doesn91裸聊视频檛 provide immediate relief to our industry.91裸聊视频�

The heaviest import duties fall on B.C.-based companies, with West Fraser facing a total of more than 23 per cent. Tolko is penalized 22 per cent and Canfor duties total more than 20 per cent, combining countervailing and anti-dumping penalties.

The latest finding has one glimmer of hope for B.C., Yurkovich said.

91裸聊视频淭he one positive is that they91裸聊视频檙e finally starting to recognize that there might be a difference for beetle-killed wood,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭hey had never recognized that before and they didn91裸聊视频檛 include any provision for that.91裸聊视频�

The U.S. Lumber Coalition issued indicating it is undeterred by the preliminary finding, and applauding the continued investigation.

91裸聊视频淭he U.S. softwood lumber industry is pleased that the U.S. government is fully enforcing our trade laws,91裸聊视频� said Jason Brochu, co-chair of the U.S. coalition. 91裸聊视频淐anada91裸聊视频檚 massive subsidies to their lumber industry have caused real harm to U.S. producers and workers. The U.S. lumber industry will continue to push for the full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws during this ongoing process.91裸聊视频�

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Another decision is expected from Canada91裸聊视频檚 appeal to the World Trade Organization, which held two hearings in 2019. The WTO has ruled in Canada91裸聊视频檚 favour in previous rounds, on U.S. claims that buying Crown-owned timber represents an unfair subsidy to Canadian construction materials.

The first round was in 1982, and the fifth remains in place in 2020.

In the meantime, companies continue to pay penalties into a U.S. government fund.

91裸聊视频淲hen all of the appeals are exhausted and all of the administrative reviews are completed, in theory those cash deposits are refunded to the companies,91裸聊视频� Yurkovich said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 their business strategy. Harm your competitors rather than getting more efficient or focusing on growing the market.91裸聊视频�

tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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