A public relations campaign may be launched by a Canadian lumber producers association and a consumer group in a fight back against recently imposed US duties on Canadian softwood.
The Free Trade Lumber Council, which represents lumber producers in Eastern Canada, is considering naming several US forest products companies as beneficiaries of duties on Canadian softwood.
The American Consumers for Affordable Homes is also considering a campaign to let US consumers know they are paying more for their lumber and houses because of the successful lobbying on behalf of the US forest companies for duties on cheaper Canadian softwood.
Under US trade law, companies found to be hurt by alleged unfair trade practices of foreign companies can receive monies from duties. In the case of US duties on Canadian softwood, this is thought to amount to several billion US dollars.
