Trump hits Canadian lumber producers with additional 10 per cent tariff

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued new tariffs that could add further pressure on Canadian producers of softwood lumber and furniture.

A presidential proclamation on Monday evening set out a 10 per cent duty on imports of softwood timber and lumber, along with a 25 per cent levy on imports of kitchen cabinets and vanities — both parts and completed models — and other upholstered wooden products.

The tariffs are scheduled to take effect Oct. 14.

The rate applied to kitchen cabinets and vanities is set to jump to 50 per cent on Jan. 1, with the levy on other upholstered wooden products rising to 30 per cent in the new year, unless countries reach a deal with the U.S.

The White House said products affected by the proclamation are not subject to Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs — the package of import duties he announced April 2. However, the new tariffs are in addition to any other duties previously applied to imported wood products.

The duties come following a report delivered to Trump by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Trump said a probe by Lutnick found wood products were being imported into the U.S. "in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States."

The proclamation laid out an Oct. 1, 2026 deadline for Lutnick to update Trump on the status of wood product imports so the president can determine "whether imposing an additional duty on imports of hardwood timber or lumber ... is warranted to address a threat to national security."