Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross issued a stern message directed at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday about “inappropriate” threats of “retaliatory action” against U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber imports.
“The Department of Commerce’s recent preliminary decision to impose tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber was based on the facts presented, not on political considerations,” Ross said in a statement. “If any Canadian or British Columbian official wishes to present additional information, we will consider it carefully and impartially.”
Trudeau recently informed British Columbia that he might consider its request to ban thermal coal shipments in retaliation for the “unfair” U.S. tariffs.
He wrote in a letter to British Columbia’s premier, Christy Clark, “The Government of Canada is considering this request carefully and seriously. I have asked federal trade officials to further examine the request to inform our government’s next steps.”
“We disagree strongly with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to impose an unfair and punitive duty on Canadian softwood lumber products,” he added.
The Commerce Department announced in April that it will charge five Canadian softwood exporters duties ranging between 3 percent to 24 percent, “establishing an opportunity to compete on a level playing field,” according to a fact sheet. Imports of softwood lumber from Canada were valued at an estimated $5.66 billion, the department noted.
“Threats of retaliatory action are inappropriate and will not influence any final determinations,” Ross said in his statement Saturday. “We continue to believe that a negotiated settlement is in the best interests of all parties, and we are prepared to work toward that end.”
Canada is also mulling duties on exports from Oregon, according to a report from Reuters.
