The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Sept. 24, edition that the U.S. Lumber Coalition claims that the $1.2-billion in support for Canada's softwood industry amounts to unfair subsidies. The Globe's Brent Jang writes that this financial package includes $700-million in loan guarantees for restructuring and $500-million in grants to diversify markets away from U.S. dependence. The softwood trade dispute has been ongoing since the early 1980s, with the U.S. Department of Commerce imposing duties on Canadian lumber shipments since 2017. "Prime Minister Carney announced an additional $1.2-billion in subsidies for Canada's lumber industry, adding to existing countervailing measures, according to U.S. Lumber Coalition director Zoltan Van Heyningen in a recent letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer." The U.S. lumber lobby influences Congress, supported by prominent lawmakers. The U.S. imposes anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood, alleging that it is sold below market value and is subsidized. Canada has consistently rejected these claims. Canadian softwood made up about 24 per cent of U.S. lumber needs, down from nearly 33 per cent in 2016.