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Lumber trade 91Ƶinjury91Ƶ claim upheld by U.S.

Softwood lumber dispute escalates as president-elect Donald Trump begins actions to protect American jobs
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The B.C. government will continue efforts to negotiate a new softwood lumber trade agreement, after the U.S. International Trade Commission upheld the U.S. industry91Ƶs claim of 91Ƶinjury91Ƶ due to alleged unfair trade practices by Canadian producers.

The latest complaint, the fifth by the U.S. lumber industry, accuses B.C. and other provinces of 91Ƶdumping91Ƶ lumber below market value, and subsidies based on the price of logs on Crown land.

The finding means the U.S. could impose countervailing duties as early as February on B.C. lumber exports, which make up half of Canada91Ƶs sales to the U.S. It also means the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigation of Canada and its producers.

Forest products are part of the economy for 140 communities and provide 65,000 jobs in B.C. Forests Minister Steve Thomson said trade protection would increase lumber prices for U.S. builders as their housing market recovers.

91ƵThese are allegations that, time after time, have been proven to be false before NAFTA and World Trade Organization tribunals,91Ƶ Thomson said in response to Friday91Ƶs ruling in the U.S. 91ƵB.C.91Ƶs forest policies are trade compliant.91Ƶ

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to renegotiate NAFTA, which does not cover softwood lumber trade, and has already begun threatening steep tariffs in the vehicle assembly industry to protect domestic jobs.

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