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Trump tariffs on Canadian lumber risk disrupting toilet paper supply, experts say
National Post ^ | Mathieu Dion and Thomas Seal

Posted on 03/27/2025 7:31:13 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

President Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on softwood lumber risk disrupting the supply chain for something nobody wants to be caught without: toilet paper.

The Trump administration plans to almost double duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 27%, with the possibility of additional levies pushing the rate to more than 50%. While Trump advocates for new tariffs partly to bolster U.S. manufacturing, they may also hit the availability of northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, or NBSK, a key component in making toilet paper and paper towels.

NBSK constitutes about 30% of standard U.S. bathroom tissue and half of a typical paper towel, and is currently sourced primarily from Canada, said Brian McClay, chairman of TTOBMA, which tracks the global pulp market.

He added that the US imported about 2 million tons of Canadian NBSK last year, highlighting the longstanding reliance of American paper-goods producers on pulp from their northern neighbor.

“Some of these mills in the United States, some of the big branded products, not only want softwood pulp from Canada, they want softwood pulp from this particular mill — they’ve been using it for 30 years and they will not change,” McClay said.

If Canadian pulp mills close because they don’t have the fiber supply, I can’t think of any other option for them — they just can’t switch the recipe around,” he said.

The scenario risks reviving painful memories of pandemic-era toilet paper shortages, when store shelves were stripped bare amid panic buying. Another possibility: higher prices at the checkout counter.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Canada; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: canada; hoarding; supplychain; tariffs; toiletpaper; usethecanadianflag
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1 posted on 03/27/2025 7:31:13 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

Oh noes! I will have to use newspapers. I can live until the supply chain adjusts.


2 posted on 03/27/2025 7:33:51 PM PDT by wildcard_redneck ( )
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To: SeekAndFind

Before President Trump’s re-election, Canada had tariffs of 300% on some American products. If such tariffs continue, Canada can pound sand.


3 posted on 03/27/2025 7:34:04 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try)
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To: All

If only there were some trees in the USA.


4 posted on 03/27/2025 7:35:34 PM PDT by LegendHasIt
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To: SeekAndFind

Good thing I stocked up in 2020...and never stopped. Who knows what Mother Government is going to throw at you on any given week? ;)


5 posted on 03/27/2025 7:36:30 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: SeekAndFind

The hosers have finally found America’s weakness. Toilet paper.


6 posted on 03/27/2025 7:37:16 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Bureaucratic District "Judges" are the greatest threat to America and Americans.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Sounds like a plot to cause a buying panic again like the toilet paper shortage in 2020. Manufactured by fear and uncertainty specifically to cause undue stress on the people, probably to try to get people to turn on Trump.

Empty threats don’t work on me.


7 posted on 03/27/2025 7:37:56 PM PDT by cross_bearer_02
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To: SeekAndFind

Not this crap again…


8 posted on 03/27/2025 7:38:05 PM PDT by Professional ( )
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To: Professional

I see what you did there!


9 posted on 03/27/2025 7:41:09 PM PDT by GMThrust
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To: wildcard_redneck

I guess we’ll just have to use Maple Leafs.


10 posted on 03/27/2025 7:42:41 PM PDT by Nextrush (FREEDOM IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS-REMEMBER REV. NIEMOLLER)
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To: Nextrush

Bidet.


11 posted on 03/27/2025 7:44:16 PM PDT by Mogger ( 7th generation Vermonter, refugee in New Hampshire hoping NH remains sane.)
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To: SeekAndFind

US has lots of forest (soft and hard). Cut it. It grows back, contrary to CC.


12 posted on 03/27/2025 7:45:02 PM PDT by Mlheureux
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To: SeekAndFind

OK, headed to Walmart tomorrow morning to stock up on toilet tissue, Kleenex, and paper towels!


13 posted on 03/27/2025 7:50:15 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (PDJT doesn’t just walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He swaggers.)
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To: SeekAndFind

14 posted on 03/27/2025 7:56:48 PM PDT by Ciaphas Cain
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To: SeekAndFind

Now those Canadians won’t be able to wipe their asses after they poo oh well can always use leaves


15 posted on 03/27/2025 7:57:53 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: SeekAndFind

Better run to BJs Wholesale Club and stock up.
You know once this story get out, there will be panic buying like crazy.


16 posted on 03/27/2025 8:00:02 PM PDT by CapnJack ( )
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To: SeekAndFind

Pulp is made mainly from chipped whole round trees; there isn’t much sawmill waste in NBSK

So I don’t get Brian McClay’s contention that softwood pulp from Canada will be affected by the tariffs.

In fact, higher lumber tariffs COULD reduce Canadian sawmill demand for softwood logs, potentially increasing log availability for pulp mills in Canada. That might actually lower pulpwood costs and pulp prices.

But the wildcard is Canada retaliating with export restrictions on pulp which would tighten U.S. supply. This is speculative at this point.


17 posted on 03/27/2025 8:06:36 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (PDJT doesn’t just walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He swaggers.)
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To: Ciaphas Cain

LOLOLOLOLOLOL


18 posted on 03/27/2025 8:08:20 PM PDT by pollywog (" O thou who changest not....ABIDE with me")
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To: SeekAndFind
Lower priced lumber from Canada, was helping to keep the cost of home construction, lower, in some of the U.S.A.
19 posted on 03/27/2025 8:09:00 PM PDT by linMcHlp
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To: SeekAndFind

Who will pick the crops?
Oh wait - that was last week.
We’ll have plenty of toilet paper - fn muzzies use their hands.


20 posted on 03/27/2025 8:09:35 PM PDT by Palio di Siena (Kralik…..you get the wallet)
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