US lumber tariffs could have severe impact on BC’s softwood industry

B.C.’s softwood lumber industry is attempting to come to terms with the potential impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a preliminary anti-dumping rate of 20.07 per cent, up from 7.66 per cent set three years ago, which is in addition to countervailing duties of 6.74 per cent.

That brings the total for potential levies to almost 27 per cent, and with the addition of the 25 per cent tariffs that went into effect on Tuesday, that means the total tariffs would be 52 per cent in terms of the combined duties and tariffs later this year.

As Angela Jung reports, experts say it could make their pricy products even more expensive.