The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) expresses deep concern over the February 1st announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump seeking to impose a 25% tariff on most Canadian goods. In combination with existing softwood lumber duties, these tariffs threaten to undermine the economic stability of Ontario’s forest sector, jeopardizing jobs, communities, and the broader Canadian economy.
“Ontario’s forest sector is highly trade-exposed, exporting $7.9 billion CAD globally in forest products annually. Of these exports, 97% ($7.7 billion CAD) go to the United States,” said Ian Dunn, President & CEO of OFIA. “Ontario lumber producers could face a 60% tariff at the border this year, effectively wiping out all shipments to the U.S. This latest move by the U.S. government represents an illegal, unfair, and unjustified attack on Canadian industry. The Ontario forest sector operates under a fair, sustainable, and transparent system, and these punitive measures do nothing but harm businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.”