U.S. Lumber Coalition Commends Trump Administration on Lumber Import Policies

In a recent statement, Andrew Miller, Chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, voiced strong support for President Trump's stance on enforcing U.S. trade laws against unfair Canadian lumber imports. Miller, who also serves as CEO of Stimson Lumber, emphasized that the current measures are crucial for sustaining the U.S. lumber industry.

"President Trump is right; the United States does not need unfairly traded Canadian lumber imports," Miller stated, reflecting on the significant changes observed since the imposition of duties in 2017. The U.S. lumber market has seen a resurgence due to increased investment and production capacity within the country.

Since 2016, U.S. sawmills have expanded their capacity by an astounding eight billion board feet. This remarkable growth has translated to the production of an additional thirty billion board feet of softwood lumber, equating to an increase of approximately 3.7 billion board feet each year. These gains have more than compensated for the impacts of the Canadian lumber industry, providing sufficient materials to construct around two million single-family homes.

Miller cautioned that as long as Canada continues to subsidize and dump lumber, the current trade cases must remain active. He reiterated that robust enforcement of trade laws is essential to maximizing the long-term output of lumber manufactured by U.S. workers, thereby ensuring the availability of American homes. "We reject any Canada-first trade agenda aimed at prioritizing unfairly traded lumber over the welfare of our domestic industry and workforce," he concluded.

Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, echoed Miller’s sentiments, stating that the ongoing enforcement mechanisms have fortified domestic supply chains. He underscored that diminishing Canadian production during economic downturns has lessened the adverse effects traditionally experienced by U.S. mills.

The U.S. Lumber Coalition continues to advocate for effective measures that reinforce the American lumber industry. This coalition unites various softwood lumber producers across the nation, including their employees and woodland owners, to confront Canada's unfair lumber trade practices. The Coalition positions itself as the voice of the U.S. lumber community, emphasizing the need for action against international trade unfairness.

For more detailed information about the U.S. Lumber Coalition and its objectives, visit their website at www.uslumbercoalition.org.

As the discourse surrounding trade policies continues, the coalition stands firm in its commitment to fighting for fair practices that ultimately serve the best interests of American workers and homeowners. The sustained efforts of the Coalition reflect a broader initiative to ensure that the U.S. lumber industry thrives under fair trade conditions, maintaining its importance within the nation's economy and construction sector.