The latest U.S. government decision to more than double countervailing and anti-dumping duties on some Canadian lumber producers is the latest setback for B.C.鈥檚 industry, the largest Canadian exporter to builders south of the border.

Friday鈥檚 preliminary ruling from the U.S. Department of Commerce doesn鈥檛 take effect until a final determination is made at the end of November, but the B.C. industry group says it is a 鈥渢roubling鈥� reversal of the last ruling that lowered duties for producers other than major lumber companies including Canfor and West Fraser.

鈥淚t is particularly egregious given lumber prices are at a record high and demand is skyrocketing in the U.S. as families across the country look to repair, remodel and build new homes,鈥� B.C. Lumber Trade Council president Susan Yurkovich said in a statement May 21. 鈥淎s U.S. producers remain unable to meet domestic demand, the ongoing actions of the industry, resulting in these unwarranted tariffs, will ultimately further hurt American consumers by adding to their costs.鈥�

The preliminary ruling would from 8.99 per cent to 18.32 per cent for imports from companies other than Canfor, West Fraser, Resolute and J.D. Irving. Canfor faces the highest rate, 21 per cent, and West Fraser鈥檚 rate is 11.38 pending a final decision next fall.

B.C. Forests Minister Katrine Conroy said the duties unfair to producers in Canada and home buyers in the U.S., especially at a time when both countries are starting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淣ow, more than ever, it鈥檚 essential to keep supply chains open for both sides of the border as Canada and the U.S. enter the next, post-vaccination phase of our economic recovery,鈥� Conroy said in a statement. 鈥淲e need open and stable supply chains for both countries to prosper during recovery, not trade barriers.鈥�

With B.C. in an advisory role, the Canadian government is challenging the duties through the World Trade Organizaiton and the Canada-U.S.-Mexico agreement鈥檚 dispute settlement mechanisms.

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