Softwood lumber exporters in New Brunswick will face lower U.S. tariffs after a recent review reduced duties from about 45 per cent to nearly 35 per cent.
According to the British Columbia government, the U.S. Department of Commerce lowered anti-dumping duties to 10.64 per cent and countervailing duties to 14.11 per cent for many Canadian lumber products. Combined with an additional 10 per cent tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on national security grounds, the total reaches 34.75 per cent.
New Brunswick’s forestry sector contributes about $1.5 billion annually to the provincial economy and supports more than 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Natural Resources Minister John Herron says the tariff reduction offers some relief, but the duties remain extremely high. The province continues to call for a Canada-U.S. trade agreement that includes softwood lumber.
Rick Doucett, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners, welcomed the reduction but said it is too early to know whether it will lead to better prices for woodlot owners.
Doucett said many wood producers depend on U.S. markets, but the industry needs further improvements to return to full capacity. He added that a return to duty-free lumber trade would require significant negotiations.
He also warned that keeping forestry workers employed and earning a living is becoming increasingly difficult.
