Freeland says Canada could retaliate in opposition to U.S. softwood lumber responsibility price

Canada is ready to retaliate in opposition to an American improve of duties on Canadian softwood lumber producers, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stated Thursday.

“We are going to do exactly what we have now executed efficiently with two earlier American administrations: we state our case clearly and rationally. We additionally make very, very clear that Canada is ready to retaliate, to defend the nationwide curiosity,” Freeland stated in response to criticism within the Home of Commons.

Conservative overseas affairs critic Michael Chong stated the Liberal authorities will not be being efficient in opposition to a sequence of protectionist commerce measures by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. He was one in every of a number of Conservatives to pile on the Liberal authorities, which is going through mounting criticism over the rising record of commerce irritants with Washington.

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Federal finance minister says metal tariff deal offers him hope for way forward for softwood lumber

Freeland didn’t present specifics about what retaliatory measures may be into consideration. However she was alluding to the powerful fights Canada waged in opposition to the earlier administration of Republican Donald Trump who imposed punitive double-digit tariffs on Canadian metal and aluminum on the peak of the renegotiation of the North American Free Commerce Settlement in 2018.

Trump used a piece of U.S. commerce regulation that allowed for the imposition of tariffs if a nationwide safety risk is perceived by Washington.

Canada hit again dollar-for-dollar countermeasures on American metal and aluminum, in addition to a number of different merchandise from whiskey to rest room paper to motorboats.

With Trump’s departure and the arrival of the brand new Biden administration there have been excessive hopes in some quarters {that a} new stage of commerce equilibrium may be restored between Canada and the U.S., despite the fact that Democrats are historically extra protectionist.

Therefore the litany of protectionist woes that Chong listed off on Thursday: a proposed electrical automobile tax credit score that poses a risk to Canadian auto sector jobs, the revival of “stringent” Purchase American procurement insurance policies, and “measures concentrating on our dairy farmers, actions in opposition to pipelines which have contributed to skyrocketing vitality costs and now a doubling of softwood lumber tariffs.”

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Trudeau says he continues to speak to Trump about ‘challenges’ round softwood lumber

The U.S. Division of Commerce stated Wednesday that its closing mixed anti-dumping and countervailing responsibility price for many Canadian producers shall be 17.9 per cent.

That’s barely under the 18.32 per cent preliminary price issued in Could however double the preliminary 8.99 per cent price.

“It’s clear that Canada’s standing in Washington has declined,” Chong stated of the renewed relationship that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hoped for with U.S. President Joe Biden.

“It’s clear this prime minister doesn’t have an in depth working relationship with the president,” Chong charged throughout query interval as he requested Trudeau what he deliberate to do about it.

Freeland responded by elevating the spectre of retaliatory measures.

Bloc Quebecois MP Mario Simard stated Canada’s high buying and selling companion was now appearing like its adversary.

“Earlier than folks stated Trump was the issue. At this time, it’s Biden. And we have now the identical downside,” stated Simard.

Worldwide Commerce Minister Mary Ng stated she raised the proposed the electrical automobile subsidy when she was in Washington final week for conferences as a part of the North American Leaders Summit.

Earlier, Ng reiterated that she was disenchanted by the brand new softwood responsibility, which she stated was unfair. Ng stated the federal government was pursuing litigation beneath the brand new North American commerce deal between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, and on the World Commerce Group.

The B.C. Lumber Commerce Council has stated the rise was not surprising however was nonetheless disappointing as a result of U.S. producers are unable to fulfill home demand.