Canadian Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday he would considering banning thermal coal
shipments in response to the U.S. imposing a 20 percent tariff on lumber
imports from Canada.
Trudeau said
in a letter to British Columbia Premier Christy Clark that his officials were
seriously considering the federal ban on U.S. thermal coal shipments through
the province’s ports.
“The
Government of Canada is considering this request carefully and seriously. I
have asked federal trade officials to further examine the request to inform our
government’s next steps,” Trudeau said in the letter, Bloomberg reported. “We disagree strongly
with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to impose an unfair and
punitive duty on Canadian softwood lumber products.”
U.S. Commerce
Secretary Wilbur Ross responded to Trudeau’s threats, calling them
“inappropriate” and that it would not influence the U.S.’ decision on its
tariffs.
“We continue
to believe that a negotiated settlement is in the best interests of all
parties,” Ross told Bloomberg.
The Trump
administration imposed the tariff after it determined that Canada was unfairly
subsidizing its lumber producers. The White House has already threatened to
take actions against Canadian dairy over what the U.S. called unfair subsidies.
Trump has also threatened to withdraw from the North American Free Trade
Agreement.
The
Canadian Press reported that Trudeau has also considered trade
actions against companies in Oregon.
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