The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has announced that a preliminary investigation launched earlier this year found no evidence that US renewable diesel imports were having a negative effect on the domestic sector.
In its announcement on 5 May, the CITT concluded “that the evidence does not disclose a reasonable indication that the dumping and subsidising of the subject goods have caused injury or retardation or are threating to cause injury”.
Conducted under the Special Import Measures Act, the dumping and subsidising investigation was launched by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) following complaints filed by Tidewater Renewables in late 2024.
In its complaint, Canadian biofuels producer Tidewater - the owner of a British Columbia biorefinery that produces renewable diesel - alleged that unfairly traded imports of US renewable diesel were significantly undermining the Canadian industry, Biodiesel Magazine wrote on 7 May.
Tidewater claimed it had suffered material injury in the form of lost market share; lost sales; price undercutting; price depression; reduced profitability; and negative cash flow, return on investment and ability to raise capital due to subsidised US renewable diesel imports, the report said.
As a result of its decision, the CITT said the preliminary injury inquiry had been terminated and the CBSA would terminate its dumping and subsidising investigations.
On 6 May, Tidewater said it was “disappointed” with the CITT’s decision and indicated the company was reviewing its options, which could include filing an amended or new complaint with the CBSA.
“Tidewater Renewables remains committed to free and fair trade in Canada’s renewable diesel market,” CEO Jeremy Baines said.
“Our view remains that the facts support a finding that unfair trade practices by the USA have caused a flood of subsidised and dumped renewable diesel into Canada. This flood of imports has significantly injured Tidewater, currently the sole Canadian producer of renewable diesel.”
