New Brunswick Lumber Producers call for urgent government action on escalating softwood lumber trade measures
Saint John, New Brunswick -- The New Brunswick Lumber Producers (NBLP) are raising serious concerns regarding the recent escalation of trade measures affecting softwood lumber exports to the United States.
Since August 12, 2025, New Brunswick lumber producers have been subject to a combined 35 per cent anti-dumping and countervailing duty on all softwood lumber shipped into the U.S. market. On October 14, 2025, a further 10 per cent tariff under Section 232 was imposed, bringing the total duty and tariff burden to 45 per cent—more than triple the 14.5 per cent rate in place prior to August.
“These unprecedented rates are unsustainable and put at risk the viability of New Brunswick sawmills and the broader forest products sector,” said Glen Warman, co-Chair of the New Brunswick Lumber Producers. “This is not only a sawmill issue. The impact extends across the entire provincial value chain.”
The New Brunswick forest sector:
- Supports one in every 17 jobs in New Brunswick, and
- Provides wages that are on average 30% higher than the provincial average.
The current situation jeopardizes:
- Small private woodlot owners,
- Logging and harvesting contractors,
- Transportation and equipment suppliers, and
- Downstream manufacturing sectors such as fencing, pellet production, pulp, tissue, and engineered wood products.
“We are calling on all levels of government—provincial and federal—to work together and formally re-engage with the United States Trade Representative to pursue a constructive and meaningful negotiation toward resolving the Softwood Lumber Dispute,” added Jerome Pelletier, co-Chair of the New Brunswick Lumber Producers.
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About the New Brunswick Lumber Producers
The New Brunswick Lumber Producers represent the province’s primary lumber manufacturers. Together, our members sustainably manage and transform one of New Brunswick’s most important natural resources, supporting jobs and economic stability in communities across the province.