The Trump administration moves toward lowering U.S. trade duties on most Canadian softwood lumber after a preliminary Commerce Department decision that would reduce the combined rate to 25% from about 35%.

Commerce preliminarily sets antidumping duties at 11% and countervailing duties at 14%, for a combined 25%, POLITICO reported, citing documents in its possession.

The current 35% combined duty rate remains in effect until Commerce issues a final determination, which the documents say is expected about 120 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Any final duties would apply on top of a separate 10% tariff imposed last year under Section 232, and the preliminary move follows last year's increase in the antidumping rate to about 21% and a decision to hold off on a threatened additional 10% tariff increase on Canada.