FEA Does Not Expect The August 24 World Trade Organization Ruling on US Softwood Lumber Imports From Canada To Have Much Effect On Current Duty Rates

On August 24, 2020 the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the US Department of Commerce (USDOC) failed to show that many of the prices paid by Canadian firms for timber on government-owned lands were too low.  While this ruling is favorable to the Canadian industry, FEA does not expect it to have much effect on current duty rates.  According to the U.S. Lumber Coalition, “…this decision is not binding upon the United States and thus has no immediate effect on the ongoing Commerce Department proceedings…”.  Moreover, we expect the US will appeal this ruling.  As in the past, we expect the appeals process will take a long time.