B.C. Forest Minister says softwood lumber tariffs costing Americans $15,000 more per home

“It’s a shame their president is the one shooting themselves in the foot.”

Those are the words of BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar who stated Donald Trump’s assault on the province’s softwood lumber is making home building south of the border even more expensive.

Since the tariffs have come into play from the White House, American home builders have not been exempt from the sticker shock.

“When we did the calculations of the 45% tariffs when they first came in, it was upwards of $15,000 in additional costs per home depending on the size of your average family home in the United States.”

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Parmar believes the American public needs to clue in on the damage the penalties are having on their country.

“Many of the customers in the United States don’t fully appreciate it or realize what is about to happen or what has happened now with these 50% tariffs. We need to send the message directly to Americans that the actions of their president have consequences on our workers here in Canada but also on their bottom line in the United States.”

Parmar added with additional 50% tariffs now attacking value-added products like veneer and plywood, fewer trucks will likely be travelling along the I-5 corridor, which will lead to job losses for Americans.

Earlier today (Tuesday), the federal government announced counter-tariffs against more than 700 American goods amounting to $27.6 billion dollars.

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Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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