Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has postponed the final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of softwood lumber from Canada until no later than November 14, 2017.

“I remain hopeful that we can reach a negotiated solution that satisfies the concerns of all parties,” said Secretary Ross. “This extension could provide the time needed to address the complex issues at hand and to reach an equitable and durable suspension agreement.”

Given the complexity of these investigations and ongoing discussions between the Governments of the United States and Canada focusing on a durable solution to this long-standing trade dispute, the final determinations in these investigations have been postponed. As a result, the deadline to issue the final determinations will be announced no later than November 14, 2017. Under U.S. law, Commerce may postpone an AD final determination for a total of 135 days after the publication of the AD preliminary determination. Further, because the CVD investigation has been aligned with the AD investigation, that final determination will also be announced no later than November 14, 2017.

Background:

On April 28, 2017, and June 30, 2017, respectively, Commerce published its preliminary determinations in the CVD and AD investigations of softwood lumber from Canada. The U.S. International Trade Commissions (ITC) is conducting a parallel investigation to determine if the American producers have been harmed by the softwood lumber imports from Canada. If the Commerce Department’s final determinations are affirmative, and the ITC makes an affirmative final injury determination, the Commerce Department will issue AD and CVD orders. If the ITC does not find that U.S. producers have been harmed, then the investigations will end, and no duties will be collected.