Lesser of Two Evils The Associated Press article, “More Tariffs for Lumber”, in the Times-Herald Record on October 31, 2001, discusses the new tariffs that the Bush administration will impose on Canadian lumber. The article states “Canada is dumping its wood on the United States at artificially low prices.” The new tariffs would add an additional 12.6 percent duty to the 19.3 percent tariff already imposed on Canadian softwood lumber in August 2001. The 19.3 percent tariff was established because the …showed first 75 words of 437 total…

…showed last 75 words of 437 total…of two evils. On the one hand, it seems clear that the Canadian lumber industry has an unfair advantage because of the government subsidy and the U.S. must protect domestic lumber industries and jobs. However, restrictions to free trade usually produces higher prices for the consumer and may restrict consumer choice. So, although the tariffs will benefit the domestic industries, the burden ultimately falls on the consumer and is not truly best for society.