The New Brunswick government says it will take every avenue available to fight a preliminary determination announced by the United States Department of Commerce imposing duties on imports of softwood lumber products from Canada.
Treasury Board President Roger Melanson says the government disagrees strongly with the decision to impose an unfair and unjust duty. He says New Brunswick has been excluded from every softwood lumber agreement and all trade litigation for more than 30 years.
We are focused and working hard alongside the fed gov to secure exclusions from any trade remedies that may be initiated by US gov… 1/2 pic.twitter.com/LDBGozsIpV
— Roger Melanson (@RogerMelanson) April 21, 2017
…whether imposed through managed trade or through litigation. 2/2 #SLA
— Roger Melanson (@RogerMelanson) April 21, 2017
Premier Brian Gallant and other government representatives have been lobbying the federal and American governments in support of New Brunswick’s exclusion.
A task force representing 11 government departments has also been set up to address the issue.
