David Eby

Ravi Parmar

It is “completely absurd” that softwood lumber exports from BC to the United States face higher duties than the same product from Russia, Premier David Eby said Wednesday. He said the softwood lumber industry is “under direct attack” after US President Trump imposed an additional tariff of 10% on imported softwood lumber starting Oct. 14. “I want you to just keep in mind the perspective that Russia now has preferential access for their softwood to the US compared with Canada and British Columbia,” Eby said. …This new levy means that Canadian softwood lumber entering the US will see total import taxes exceeding 45%, while Russia is exempt. …Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said “Russia is the largest exporter of softwood lumber in the world. BC, a small province, is the second-largest. So, the US has a choice. Do they want to do business with British Columbia or do they want to do business with Russia?”

BC Government Press Release: Premier’s, minister’s statements on Section 232 tariff decision from United States