The U.S. government’s decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on softwood lumber and other Canadian exports is a punitive, unjustified protectionist measure that will cause economic harm in both Canada and the United States, says Kurt Niquidet President of the BC Lumber Trade Council.
B.C. softwood lumber producers already face 14.40 per cent duties on their shipments to the U.S. Combined, these barriers will disrupt trade, raise costs for consumers, and threaten jobs and communities on both sides of the border.
“The Canada-U.S. lumber trade is mutually beneficial,” Niquidet said. “American demand exceeds domestic supply—requiring U.S. builders to import about 30 perccent of their lumber needs. Canadian producers fill most of this gap, ensuring a stable, predictable supply of quality lumber. Tariffs disrupt this essential supply chain, increasing building material costs, at a time when affordability is already a major concern for American families.
“For Canadian producers, higher tariffs erode competitiveness and put mills under financial strain—leading to curtailments, job losses, and economic harm to forestry-dependent communities.”
The BC Lumber Trade Council urges the Canadian government to work with U.S. counterparts to remove these tariffs and to reach a fair, long-term solution. Unjustified trade barriers weaken both economies and put workers, businesses, and consumers at risk, Niquidet added.