A new executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump directing an investigation into wood product imports threatens to escalate trade tensions and put thousands of Canadian forestry jobs at risk.
The Section 232 investigation, launched under the pretext of national security concerns, could result in additional tariffs on Canadian lumber, which is already subject to a combined 14.5 per cent duty. The probe comes just days before a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods is set to take effect on March 4.
“To suggest our lumber and byproducts are a threat to American security is ludicrous,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Trump is going back to his playbook to twist regulations and continue sustained attacks on the Canadian softwood industry and the jobs that depend on it.”
Canada is the largest supplier of imported lumber to the U.S., and the forestry sector is already feeling the impact of ongoing trade measures. Industry leaders warn that additional duties could trigger further job losses and production cuts.
“The existing unjustified duties have already hurt our industry, resulting in job loss and production slowdowns,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. “Now Trump aims to pile tariff on top of tariff to further weaken our forestry sector with the goal of pricing our industry out of existence.”
The union argues that new tariffs would not only harm Canadian producers but also increase costs for American consumers, particularly in the housing market, where higher lumber prices could drive up home construction costs.
Unifor is calling on the federal government to respond with dollar-for-dollar countermeasures and implement industrial policies that protect domestic industries and jobs.
“It’s clear the attacks from Trump will keep coming, so Canada must have responses in place while taking simultaneous action to safeguard and develop our industries,” Payne said.
