Richard Froese
South Peace News
Central Peace – Notley MLA and Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen returned from a trip to the United States to discuss the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian wood products going into the U.S.
Loewen led a delegation to Texas from March 31 to April 3 to build partnerships, says a news release dated March 30.
“Alberta has built a long-standing and mutually-beneficial trade relationship,” says Loewen.
“Our wood products are vital to homebuilding and helping American businesses grow and we are committed to ensuring this partnership continues to flourish.”
Loewen was accompanied by a delegation from the Alberta Forest Products Association to meet with key government officials, industry representatives and advocacy groups in Texas to reinforce the strong relationship between the two regions and emphasize the need for fair open markets to ensure these industries continue to thrive.
Loewen and the Alberta delegation scheduled meetings April 1 with Gov. Greg Abbott and Senator Charles Perry. They were also schedule to attend Forestry Day at the Capitol.
Texas is Alberta’s largest U.S. market for lumber and Alberta’s wood products play a critical role in supporting American homebuilders, infrastructure projects and businesses.
The trade mission aimed to highlight the importance of Alberta’s high-quality wood products and ensure continued access to the vital market.
Through the mission, Alberta’s government was working hard to creating new opportunities for people and businesses in both regions.
By advocating for fair and transparent trade policies, Alberta’s government is working to ensure the province’s wood product manufacturers remain competitive while helping to build a stronger, more sustainable future for communities both in Alberta and Texas.
AFPA senior vice-president Brock Mulligan says the tariffs could be devastating to the forest industry in Alberta and Canada.
Many companies in the U.S. are dependent on Alberta’s forest industry, said Mulligan, who spoke at Big Lakes County council meeting Feb. 12.
“Whether they sell U.S. products like resins for wood panels, forestry harvesting equipment, trucks for transporting logs and finished products, or use Alberta wood to construct homes or Alberta pulp as a feedstock for their tissue and paper plants, there is a high degree of interconnectedness,” Mulligan said.
“It is important to remind Americans of this mutually-beneficial relationship.”
Quick Facts
- Texas received $176 million in Canadian dollars worth of Alberta lumber in 2024, accounting for 17 per cent of the province’s total lumber exports to the U.S.
- In 2024, $3 billion of Alberta forest products were exported to the U.S., representing 72 per cent of Alberta’s total forest product exports.
Exports included:
- $1 billion worth of softwood lumber to the U.S.
- $808 million worth of oriented strand board.
- $704 million worth of kraft pulp.
- $457 worth of primary and secondary forest products including other pulp and panel products.