HillNote
Since 1982, when the United States first considered trade measures against Canadian softwood lumber products, there have been bilateral softwood lumber disputes “Softwood Lumber I” through “Softwood Lumber V”. For decades, the United States has applied anti-dumping duties (ADs) and countervailing duties (CVDs) on certain Canadian softwood lumber products, and Canada has taken actions at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and under both the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). This HillNote briefly describes Softwood Lumber I through Softwood Lumber IV. It then examines Softwood Lumber V and outlines the Government of Canada’s actions to date. Because trade disputes are among the factors that can affect firms, workers and communities, the HillNote also highlights the Canadian forest sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) and exports, as well as to some of the country’s communities and employment levels.