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U.S. Cuts Softwood Lumber Duty Rate to 24.75%; Ontario Wants End
In brief
The U.S. Commerce Department’s seventh administrative review set a combined anti-dumping and countervailing duty rate of 24.75% on most Canadian softwood lumber, down from 35.16%, CBC News and The Canadian Wire reported. Including a separate 10% Section 232 tariff, the total charge is about 35%, down from about 45%, and Ontario ministers called for all duties to end.
What is the new softwood lumber duty rate? 24.75% for most Canadian producers, made up of a 14.11% countervailing duty and a 10.64% anti-dumping duty, according to the reports. The previous combined rate was 35.16%. The review is based on lumber shipped in 2024.
What is the total cost at the border?
Lumber exports also face a 10% tariff under Section 232 of U.S. trade law. Together, the total comes to roughly 35%, compared with roughly 45% before the review. For a sense of scale, duties of 35% on a US$100,000 shipment would add about US$35,000.
How did Ontario and B.C. respond?
Ontario ministers Kevin Holland, Mike Harris and Vic Fedeli said in an October 14 statement that the duties are unjustified and urged Washington to remove them, The Canadian Wire reported. In British Columbia, Kim Haakstad of the BC Lumber Trade Council said members were disappointed that duties remain, CBC reported.
What happens next?
The softwood dispute has run for decades, with repeated reviews and legal appeals. Canada and the industry have long argued the duties are unfair and have challenged them under trade agreements; there is no sign of a new negotiated deal yet.
General news summary based on public reports. ViralScopeHub is not affiliated with any government, court or organisation named here and is not responsible for decisions readers make based on this summary. Check the linked sources for the latest updates.
Why it matters
Forestry supports jobs in many towns across Ontario, Quebec and B.C., and duties affect lumber prices and home-building costs on both sides of the border.
People also ask
What are the softwood lumber duties for 2026?
After the seventh U.S. review, the combined anti-dumping and countervailing rate is 24.75% for most Canadian producers, plus a 10% Section 232 tariff.
Why does the U.S. charge duties on Canadian lumber?
U.S. producers argue Canadian lumber is subsidised through low stumpage fees on public land and sold below fair value; Canada disputes this.
Related free tools: Percentage Calculator, Currency Converter
Sources
- CBC News: U.S. lowers softwood lumber duties
- The Canadian Wire: US cuts softwood lumber duty rate to 24.75% as Ontario calls for end to all duties
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