United States Ends Rights on Glossy Imports from Canada

The US Department of Commerce says it has put an end to countervailing duties on Canadian paper that has been in place since 2015.

The move comes after Verso Corp., the largest US producer of glossy paper, told US Secretary of Commerce in March, he was no longer interested in continuing his business following a settlement with some Canadian producers.

The US Department of Commerce said Friday that the final results of a re-investigation triggered by the regulations would mean that it will revoke retroactively

JD Irving, of Saint John, issued a statement in which he said he appreciated the "hard work" of Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and his staff to achieve what he called the positive outcome.

Resolute Forest Products Inc., of Montreal, is "pleased" that the tasks are lifted. . The company said it has paid out $ 60 million in cash deposits and expects to know the timing of its repayment in the coming days.

The end of office is a rare plus for Canada in an increasingly protectionist environment. United States. Timber producers are still resisting tariffs on their products, while US President Donald Trump recently imposed tariffs on imports of aluminum and steel and threatened to do so. likewise with car imports. The next day, the World Trade Organization largely ruled in favor of Canada in the subsidy dispute over supercalendered paper, which is mainly used in magazines, catalogs, corporate brochures and advertising inserts

. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Friday issued a statement denouncing the decision as "the latest example of judicial activism in the WTO", while noting that the US has officially terminated its duties Thursday

. It was unanimously decided to order the US Department of Commerce to reconsider its duties with respect to glossy paper mills in Canada.

The United States imposed duties in 2015, including a 20.18% tariff. 18.85% duty on the JD Irving plant in New Brunswick and Catalyst Paper in BC, although JD Irving was able to reduce its tolls last year

The Settlement in March included Irving Paper Ltd., owned by JD Irving, and Port Hawkesbury Paper together. Payment from Verso Corp. up to 42 million US dollars on the fees they expect to pay back.

The agreed terms stipulated that both parties wanted to avoid the uncertainties and risks badociated with examinations and legal issues related to duties. rather "amicably resolve disputes between the two parties by agreement."

Canada's supercalendered paper exports to the United States were valued at $ 959 million in 2014.