The British Columbia Lumber Trade Council said the United States government's decision to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act is misguided. The council noted that Canadian producers already face antidumping and countervailing duties of just over 35%, meaning total import taxes now exceed 45%.

Council President Kurt Niquidet said the new tariffs will not improve U.S. national security but will raise lumber costs, increase pressure on housing affordability, and undermine the trade relationship between Canada and the United States. The council stated the decision will also strain the North American lumber market, threaten jobs in both countries, and make it harder to resolve the U.S. housing supply crisis.

The British Columbia Lumber Trade Council said its members remain committed to supplying high-quality lumber to the U.S. market and continue to advocate for a fair and durable solution to the softwood lumber dispute.