The US Lumber Coalition (USLC) has aggressively promoted strong enforcement of US trade laws and railed against “unfair Canadian trade practices.” …The USLC’s arguments have been challenged by a pair of Canadian independent consultants — Russ Taylor Global and Spar Tree Group:

• The USLC release: “Canada’s built-for-export excess softwood lumber production capacity is huge and unsustainable, at around 8 billion board feet,” said Miller. “And Canada’s focus on maintaining its U.S. market share at any cost is hugely detrimental the profitability and growth of the U.S. softwood lumber industry.”
• The Canadian consultants: “Canada’s focus on maintaining its US market share?” To the contrary, Canada’s market share has been trending downwards for approximately thirty years, and Canada’s 2024 share of US softwood lumber consumption was 23.6% according to WWPA data. This trend is due, in part, to the closure of 53 sawmills in BC alone since 2005. In terms of sawmill profitability, the US South has been the highest margin region in North America.