Unifor has issued a statement following a new executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to launch a Section 232 (National Security) investigation into wood products imported into the United States.
The union warns that this move poses a direct threat to Canadian softwood lumber and downstream wood products, potentially endangering thousands of jobs across Canada.
“To suggest our lumber and byproducts are a threat to American security is ludicrous,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Trump is going back to his playbook to twist regulations and sustain attacks on the Canadian softwood industry and the jobs that depend on it.”
The investigation could lead to new tariffs on Canadian lumber, adding to the existing 14.5% combined countervailing and anti-dumping duties. Furthermore, Canadian producers are already facing the threat of a separate 25% tariff on all Canadian goods scheduled to take effect on March 4, 2025.
“The existing unjustified duties have already hurt our industry, resulting in job losses and production slowdowns,” said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. “Now Trump aims to pile tariff on top of tariff to further weaken our forestry sector with the goal of pricing our industry out of existence.”
As the largest supplier of imported lumber to the U.S., Canada would bear the brunt of any additional trade restrictions. Industry experts warn that these tariffs will not only hurt Canadian workers but also raise costs for American consumers, particularly in the housing sector.
Unifor is urging the Canadian government to respond decisively with dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs while also implementing industrial policies to protect the domestic forestry sector.
“It’s clear the attacks from Trump will keep coming,” Payne added. “Canada must have responses in place while taking simultaneous action to safeguard and develop our industries to protect good-paying jobs.”
About Unifor
Unifor is Canada’s largest private-sector union, representing 320,000 workers across various industries. The union advocates for workers’ rights, equality, and social justice while pushing for policies that strengthen the Canadian economy.
