How Trump’s tariffs could impact Canada’s lumber industry

The RM of Thompson is appealing the ruling that favoured a councillor they tried to oust in 2023. Taylor Brock reports.

U.S. President Donald Trump has only been back in office for a day, but he’s already suggested moving ahead with 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports.

“I’m not sure anybody knows what the impact would be to tell you the truth,” said Robin Wilber, Elmsdale Lumber Company president.

“Everybody’s coming up with their own thoughts on it, but I think that will remain to be seen, but I know it will be huge.”

Elmsdale Lumber Company produces 30 million board feet of spruce lumber each year. Most of it stays in the Maritimes, but Wilber said some is shipped to the United States.

Nova Scotia is currently exempt from American softwood lumber duties, but Wilber worries that could change.

“We run the risk of losing that exclusion, and that would be massive.”

He said Canadians won’t be the only one impacted by the proposed tariffs.

It could also cause major issues for American consumers who will have to pay more for Canadian lumber.

“If you put a tariff on it, all you’re going to do is raise the cost of housing. Both countries have a housing problem. We need to build more housing, and that’s going to use a lot of wood,” said Wilber.

“Last year, they used 51 billion board feet of lumber. They only produced 37 billion. That’s a 14 billion board foot shortfall of which Canada supplied 12 billion board feet of lumber to the U.S.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has warned Canada will push back if the tariffs do come into effect.

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