TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2025 /CNW/ - Unifor says Canada must fight back against U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff proclamation targeting Canadian softwood lumber, furniture and cabinetry exports, warning that the move will devastate thousands of workers and communities already battered by years of unfair trade action.
On September 29, the White House issued its fifth Presidential Proclamation under Section 232 of U.S. trade law, imposing tariffs on Canadian wood products beginning October 14 and increasing on January 1, 2026 to up to 50% on some products. New tariffs include a 10% duty on Canadian softwood timber and lumber exports, on top of existing anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
"Donald Trump is once again attacking Canadian workers and communities under the guise of so-called national security," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "This is an outrageous and unjustified assault on our sovereignty and our economy. These tariffs threaten thousands of good jobs across forestry and manufacturing. We will fight back with everything we have to protect our members and this industry."
Nearly $10 billion worth of Canadian exports in targeted lumber, furniture and related goods to the U.S. will be affected by the new tariffs. Sawn lumber alone represents more than $7.7 billion of those covered exports, with workers across British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Canada most affected by the new tariffs. The proclamation is structured to potentially expand the list of tariffed wood products over time.
"Workers and families in forestry towns in Quebec, and across the country have been carrying the burden of U.S. trade aggression for far too long. It is time for the federal government to draw a line in the sand and implement a real industrial strategy for our critical forestry sector," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier.
Unifor is calling on the federal government to:
- Secure emergency supports to stabilize forestry and manufacturing jobs in affected communities.
- Convene a National Industrial Strategy Council for forestry and wood products to build a long-term, value-added vision for the industry.
- Establish a targeted income protection program to safeguard workers' livelihoods while trade disputes continue.
"Trump's tariffs make U.S. homes and goods more expensive while threatening Canadian jobs. It's bad policy for both sides of the border," Cloutier added. "We cannot let Trump dictate the future of Canadian industries. Ottawa must act now."
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor
For English media inquiries please contact Unifor Communications Director Kathleen O'Keefe at [email protected] or by cell at (416) 896-3303; For media inquiries in French, contact: Unifor Quebec Communications Representative Véronique Figliuzzi at [email protected].
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