The Maine lumber industry, with close business ties to Canada, braces for possible tariffs

By Molly Enking
Maine Public
February 3, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States

Maine exports about 2 million tons of wood products annually, and imports 2.3 million tons – mostly from Canada, according to a recent industry report from the Maine Forest Service. Lumber industry officials are concerned the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs could hurt business, said Patrick Strauch, of the Maine Forest Products Council. “Maine’s forest economy is really intertwined with both Quebec and New Brunswick, Strauch said. “We’re concerned about a broad tariff and how it would distrust disrupt the economy.” Wood pulp and fibers, in particular, are a big part of what moves across the border in order to produce particle board, packaging, and other products in Maine. Strauch said mills located near the border import goods from Canada on a regular basis. “If you’re a pulp mill that’s located close to the border of Canada, you’re going to be importing wood fiber from Canada. That’s just how it works in Maine,” he said.

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