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On May 4, 2026, the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade) announced that it had received information from the Vietnam Mission in Geneva regarding Canada’s notification G/SG/N/6/CAN/6 to the WTO Committee on Safeguards. The notification concerns the official initiation by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) of a global safeguard investigation into certain wood products imported into the Canadian market.
General Information
According to the notification, on April 21, 2026, the CITT initiated a global safeguard investigation at the request of the Government of Canada, based on a recommendation from the country’s Minister of Finance. The investigation is conducted pursuant to Section 20 of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act.
The scope of the investigation covers three main product groups: (i) wooden kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities made from solid wood and engineered wood; (ii) solid wood and engineered wood flooring; and (iii) storage units made of engineered wood.
The products concerned are typically classified under the following HS codes: 9403.40.00.10; 9403.50.00.90; 9403.60.10.10; 9403.60.10.31; 9403.60.10.39; 9403.60.10.60; 9403.60.10.91; 4409.29.10.00; 4409.29.90.41; 4409.29.90.49; 4418.74.00.00; 4418.75.00.10; 4418.75.00.90; 4418.79.00.00.
Investigation Procedures
Key milestones in the investigation process include:
On May 15, 2026, the CITT is expected to issue investigation questionnaires to domestic producers, importers, and foreign producers. This date is also the deadline for interested parties to submit a Notice of Participation and a Notice of Representation.
On June 5, 2026, responses to the investigation questionnaires must be submitted.
On October 1, 2026, the CITT will commence hearings, which will be conducted in a hybrid format, both in person and online.
Recommendations
To proactively respond to the case, the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam recommends that relevant associations and manufacturing/exporting enterprises take note of the following:
Enterprises should actively review their export activities of the products under investigation to Canada, while carefully studying the initiation notice and relevant legal provisions to develop appropriate response strategies.
They should consider participating in the investigation as interested parties by submitting a Notice of Participation before May 15, 2026, in order to protect their legitimate interests, and prepare complete documentation and data to respond to the questionnaires by the June 5, 2026 deadline.
Enterprises are advised to closely monitor developments in the investigation, while proactively diversifying export markets and assessing potential impact scenarios in the event that Canada imposes safeguard measures.
Finally, strengthening coordination with the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam is essential to stay updated and receive timely support throughout the course of the case.
To protect their legitimate interests, manufacturers and exporters should familiarize themselves with the procedure and actively contact Vietnam Antidumping Law Firm specializing in anti-dumping and trade remedy for timely assistance.
ASL Law is a leading full-service and independent Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. ASL Law is ranked as the top tier Law Firm in Vietnam by Legal500, Asia Law, WTR, and Asia Business Law Journal. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. If we can be of assistance, please email to [email protected].
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