Madam Chair, the United States remains the largest market for Canadian softwood lumber. U.S. consumers have greatly benefited from high-quality Canadian softwood lumber products for decades. It is truly unfortunate that the government of the United States continues to impose unwarranted duties that bring harm and increase prices on both sides of the border. Undoubtedly these past few years have been challenging times for the Canadian softwood lumber industry. This is why we continue to support and engage with Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders at every opportunity. When the United States imposed its unwarranted and unjustified duties on Canadian softwood lumber products, we listened and responded with a softwood lumber action plan. When the pandemic arrived, we listened and responded with a COVID-19 economic response plan.
This past summer, Canada's Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry met with softwood lumber industry leaders to provide the latest developments on the softwood lumber file and to hear directly from them on how the government could best support them in this dispute. These meetings were very informative, and the ministers took careful note of the industry's views.
The government will continue to engage with Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders at every step of the way to ensure that all voices are heard. This includes provincial and territorial governments, softwood lumber companies, industry representatives, labour groups and indigenous communities: as such, a large and important part of Canada's economy with diverse viewpoints across the country. We believe this collaborative team Canada approach will ensure the best possible support and defence of our softwood lumber industry. Through countless direct communications with companies, we have demonstrated to Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders that this government has their best interests in mind.
The federal government knows that the Canadian industry does not want just any softwood lumber deal with the United States. Our industry needs a deal that brings predictability and stability, and that most notably protects Canadians jobs. Let me be clear. A deal that harms our industry is not a deal that this government is willing to accept. It is extremely disappointing that the United States continues to impose these unfair tariffs. Canadians rightfully expect a fair trading relationship.
Canada has always been willing to explore ideas that allow for a return to predictable cross-border trade in softwood lumber, but Canada will only strike a deal that is in the best interests of Canadian forestry workers and is good for forestry firms. We will not take just any deal, like the Conservatives would. Let me remind the House that while this government continues to stand up and defend the interests of Canadian workers, the Conservative Party of Canada would have us capitulate to the United States. In the interim, we will continue to challenge U.S. duties on softwood lumber under chapter 19 of NAFTA, under chapter 10 of CUSMA and through the WTO dispute settlement system. Canada believes that the U.S. softwood lumber duties are unwarranted, unjustified and inconsistent with U.S. law and the international trade obligations of the United States—