(Washington) The BC lumber industry is anxiously unpacking US President Joe Biden’s latest “Buy American” rhetoric to better understand its implications for Canadian exporters.
The BC Lumber Trade Council finds it “concerning” that President Biden also now wants to restrict the use of foreign two-by-fours for government-funded infrastructure projects. US federal government.
Mr. Biden announced these expanded protectionist rules during his State of the Union address on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.
The White House now wants all building materials for such projects to be made in the United States — be it copper, aluminum, lumber, glass, drywall or fiber optic cables.
B.C. Softwood Lumber Trade Council chair Linda Coady argues that the U.S. was only able to produce about 70% of U.S. demand for two-by-fours in 2021. Gold , Mme Coady argues that this gap was largely filled by imports from Canada.
Canadian producers have been embroiled in a decades-long trade dispute with the United States over Washington’s anti-dumping duties on softwood lumber from north of the border.
But recent statements by President Biden have increased these concerns in Canada. “It’s concerning and we’re trying to better understand what it means for Canadian producers,” said Ms.me coady.
“Our goal remains to work on both sides of the border to maximize Canada’s opportunities to provide low-carbon, sustainably produced lumber that is clearly needed by U.S. builders. homes, consumers and construction workers. »