U.S. Lumber Coalition Praises Trump's Strong Trade Law Enforcement Against Canadian Competition
On March 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce officially revealed a preliminary anti-dumping duty rate of 20.07% in its sixth annual review of unfairly traded Canadian softwood lumber. This review pertains to lumber imports during the calendar year 2023. Andrew Miller, Chairman and Owner of Stimson Lumber as well as Chair of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, emphasized the significance of this substantial duty as a direct reaction to the egregious dumping practices by Canadian exporters in the American market. According to Miller, such unfair trade activities are detrimental not only to U.S. companies but also to hardworking Americans in related industries.
The critical nature of the issue has not gone unnoticed by President Trump, who understands the repercussions of unfairly traded imported lumber on the domestic supply chain. In addition to the duties established, Trump has initiated an independent inquiry under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This is seen as a vital step to assess the broader implications of foreign trade practices that significantly impact American jobs.
Zoltan van Heyningen, the Executive Director of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, praised the President’s proactive stance on enforcing U.S. trade laws in response to Canadian practices detrimental to U.S. employment and lumber production. He stated, “These trade cases must persist as long as Canada continues with its subsidization and dumping strategies,” underlining the coalition’s strategy to combat unfair trade. Van Heyningen further addressed Canada’s potential objections to the implementing duties, suggesting that respecting trade laws would eliminate such discomfort. He remarked, “To avoid these duties, Canada simply needs to cease its unjust practices.”
Miller more forcefully asserted that the current conditions in the lumber market demonstrate a desperate attempt by Canada to maintain market share in the United States for their excess lumber, often resorting to tactics that undermine U.S. production. Jason Brochu, Co-President of Pleasant River Lumber, echoed Miller's sentiments, stating that the U.S. industry can sufficiently meet the demand for lumber domestically, indicating that American producers have the capability to fulfill nearly all U.S. lumber needs. With robust enforcement of trade laws, they predict further enhancement of the U.S. lumber supply chain.
Since 2016, the U.S. lumber mills have significantly expanded their production capabilities, contributing an additional 6.7 billion board feet of lumber capacity through the establishment of new mills and the scaling of existing ones, culminating in an impressive 30 billion board feet of softwood lumber that has been produced over this period. This growth is critical as it provides enough material to construct two million single-family residences, thereby offsetting any declines attributable to unfairly traded Canadian imports.
As they move forward, the U.S. Lumber Coalition emphasizes continuing strong enforcement of trade laws to ensure a fair marketplace, which is essential for future expansion in lumber manufacturing and the availability of materials necessary to build American homes. Importantly, this increase in domestic production comes with no adverse impact on new home prices, as evidenced by data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Fastmarkets Random Lengths.
The U.S. Lumber Coalition, a collective of softwood lumber producers across the nation, strives to address the ongoing challenges imposed by Canada’s unfair lumber trade practices. Through their advocacy, they aim to support the full implementation of U.S. trade laws, promoting a healthy environment for domestic investment and growth within the industry. As they continue to advocate for these crucial policies, they work diligently for the long-term benefits that a strong American lumber industry will provide for communities nationwide. For more information about their activities and commitments, you can visit www.uslumbercoalition.org.
The critical nature of the issue has not gone unnoticed by President Trump, who understands the repercussions of unfairly traded imported lumber on the domestic supply chain. In addition to the duties established, Trump has initiated an independent inquiry under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This is seen as a vital step to assess the broader implications of foreign trade practices that significantly impact American jobs.
Zoltan van Heyningen, the Executive Director of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, praised the President’s proactive stance on enforcing U.S. trade laws in response to Canadian practices detrimental to U.S. employment and lumber production. He stated, “These trade cases must persist as long as Canada continues with its subsidization and dumping strategies,” underlining the coalition’s strategy to combat unfair trade. Van Heyningen further addressed Canada’s potential objections to the implementing duties, suggesting that respecting trade laws would eliminate such discomfort. He remarked, “To avoid these duties, Canada simply needs to cease its unjust practices.”
Miller more forcefully asserted that the current conditions in the lumber market demonstrate a desperate attempt by Canada to maintain market share in the United States for their excess lumber, often resorting to tactics that undermine U.S. production. Jason Brochu, Co-President of Pleasant River Lumber, echoed Miller's sentiments, stating that the U.S. industry can sufficiently meet the demand for lumber domestically, indicating that American producers have the capability to fulfill nearly all U.S. lumber needs. With robust enforcement of trade laws, they predict further enhancement of the U.S. lumber supply chain.
Since 2016, the U.S. lumber mills have significantly expanded their production capabilities, contributing an additional 6.7 billion board feet of lumber capacity through the establishment of new mills and the scaling of existing ones, culminating in an impressive 30 billion board feet of softwood lumber that has been produced over this period. This growth is critical as it provides enough material to construct two million single-family residences, thereby offsetting any declines attributable to unfairly traded Canadian imports.
As they move forward, the U.S. Lumber Coalition emphasizes continuing strong enforcement of trade laws to ensure a fair marketplace, which is essential for future expansion in lumber manufacturing and the availability of materials necessary to build American homes. Importantly, this increase in domestic production comes with no adverse impact on new home prices, as evidenced by data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Fastmarkets Random Lengths.
The U.S. Lumber Coalition, a collective of softwood lumber producers across the nation, strives to address the ongoing challenges imposed by Canada’s unfair lumber trade practices. Through their advocacy, they aim to support the full implementation of U.S. trade laws, promoting a healthy environment for domestic investment and growth within the industry. As they continue to advocate for these crucial policies, they work diligently for the long-term benefits that a strong American lumber industry will provide for communities nationwide. For more information about their activities and commitments, you can visit www.uslumbercoalition.org.
Topics General Business）
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