The federal government is launching a challenge under the new NAFTA agreement against U.S. softwood lumber duties, International trade Minister Mary Ng has announced.

Minister Mary Ng said the government filed noticed of the challenge under Chapter 10 of the Canada, U.S. Mexico Agreement, (CUSMA).

“Canada reaffirms its call for the United States to stop imposing unwarranted duties on Canadian softwood lumber products,” Ng said in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced in November that it would be imposing an average duty of 17.9 per cent on softwood lumber imported from Canada; twice the previous 8.99 per cent rate.

In May, the U.S.