Members of the province’s softwood lumber industry are breathing easier today after news that the United States department of commerce decided Newfoundland and Labrador would be excluded from any tariffs.
Of the goods exported from this province to the U.S. in 2016, softwood lumber products accounted for $10.5 million worth.
In a news release, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources Gerry Byrne welcomed the elimination of duties and potential anti-dumping charges on timber exports to the U.S.
“Unrestricted access to these traditional markets is important for the future of our province’s lumber industry and will lead to positive growth and new market opportunities for forest products produced in Newfoundland and Labrador,” Byrne stated.
Given the importance of the industry to the rest of the country, Byrne will continue to sit on a federal-provincial task force representing the nation’s interests.
