171 Lawmakers Ask Commerce, USTR to Negotiate Softwood Lumber Agreement, End AD/CVD Case

Citing the inflationary effect of antidumping and countervailing duties on softwood lumber, Reps. Kenny Marchant, R-Texas, and Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., led a letter asking that the administration reopen discussions with Canada, with the goal of reaching a negotiated agreement on softwood lumber imports. The two countries operated under the most recent agreement from 2006 to 2015. Canadians have said they're willing to agree to a new agreement with an export cap, but, if demand is high, a mechanism to lift the cap (see 1708240031). The June 12 letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the antidumping and countervailing duties strain the relationship with one of the country's closest allies and cause "unnecessary cost increases" for home builders. In a press release announcing the letter, Marchant cites a National Association of Home Builders estimate that the duties add $7,000 to the cost of building a new house.