---
title: "US sets softwood lumber import tax at almost 35%"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/business/us-sets-softwood-lumber-import-tax-at-almost-35"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-sets-softwood-lumber-import-tax-at-almost-35"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/us-sets-softwood-lumber-import-tax-at-almost-35.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-sets-softwood-lumber-import-tax-at-almost-35"
category: "Business & Economy"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-10-15T02:46:16.168Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-15T01:21:36.523Z"
updated: "2026-10-15T02:46:16.168Z"
trust_score: 70
critic_score: 87
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-15T04:00:15.243287+00:00"
---

# US sets softwood lumber import tax at almost 35%

*The BC Lumber Trade Council states the new rate is down from a previous announcement.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 70 of 100, higher is better. Trust 70 – multiple independent outlets, council president named, specific tax rates attributed to U.S. Commerce.
- Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87 – explains dispute impact, quotes council president, separates facts, provides precise percentages.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15 – neutral headline and body, no sensational language.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Total import taxes on Canadian softwood lumber have been set at almost 35 percent by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
- The BC Lumber Trade Council stated this new rate is down from the combined 45 percent announced in August of last year.
- The council expressed disappointment, calling the duties and tariffs "unjustified and punitive trade measures" that remain a "significant burden" on producers.
- The dispute over softwood lumber has been ongoing for nearly a decade, affecting forest-dependent communities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has finalised import taxes on Canadian softwood lumber at nearly 35 percent. This new rate follows a review by the department. The BC Lumber Trade Council, which represents lumber producers in British Columbia, stated that the current figure is lower than the combined rate of 45 percent that was announced in August of the previous year.

Despite the reduction, the BC Lumber Trade Council conveyed disappointment with the outcome. Kim Haakstad, the council's interim president, said in a statement that Canadian lumber producers continue to face "unjustified and punitive trade measures." The council described the combined duties and tariffs as a substantial burden for producers. The organisation noted that the softwood lumber dispute has persisted for almost ten years, impacting communities reliant on the forestry sector.

## Details of the duties and tariffs

According to the BC Lumber Trade Council, the U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed specific duties. These include countervailing duties at 14.11 percent, anti-dumping duties at 10.64 percent, and an additional tariff of 10 percent. This additional tariff was reportedly levied by U.S. President Donald Trump on national security grounds.

## What the coverage left out

None of the reports from the left-rated or centre-rated outlets mentioned the specific breakdown of the duties and tariffs, including the countervailing duties at 14.11 percent, anti-dumping duties at 10.64 percent, and the additional 10 percent tariff. No right-rated outlet ran this story.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 30 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 70% (21)
- Centre: 30% (9)
- Right: 0% (0)

4 of 34 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-15T04:00:15.243287+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-15T04:45:20.221Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Reports from left-rated outlets focused on the new tax total and the BC Lumber Trade Council's reaction. They highlighted that the almost 35 percent tax is down from the 45 percent announced last August. These reports also conveyed the council's disappointment, quoting its statement that the measures are "unjustified and punitive" and remain a "significant burden."

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports highlighted the BC Lumber Trade Council's statement regarding the new import tax total of almost 35 percent. They noted the council's disappointment with the ongoing trade measures, which it described as "unjustified and punitive."

### Right

No separate framing summary.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- high: 15
- unknown: 4
- veryHigh: 15

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [todaysnorthumberland.ca](https://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2026/10/14/u-s-softwood-lumber-duties-continue-to-increase-costs-for-american-and-canadian-families) — U.S. Softwood Lumber Duties Continue to Increase Costs for American and Canadian Families - Today's Northumberland - Your Source For What's Happening Locally and Beyond
- [CBC News](https://cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/softwood-lumber-export-tax-down-9.7381323) — Tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports set at almost 35% after U.S. review
- [Canadian Biomass Magazine](https://canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/statement-by-the-bc-lumber-trade-council-on-the-outcome-of-u-s-department-of-commerces-seventh-administrative-review) — Statement By The BC Lumber Trade Council On The Outcome Of U.S. Department Of Commerce’s Seventh Administrative Review
- [Wood Business](https://woodbusiness.ca/statement-by-the-bc-lumber-trade-council-on-the-outcome-of-u-s-department-of-commerces-seventh-administrative-review) — Statement By The BC Lumber Trade Council On The Outcome Of U.S. Department Of Commerce’s Seventh Administrative Review
- [Narcity](https://narcity.com/softwood-lumber-taxed-at-34-75-per-cent-by-u-s) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Bowen Island Undercurrent](https://bowenislandundercurrent.com/the-mix/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894814) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/10/14/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Bradford Today](https://bradfordtoday.ca/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/10/14/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-2) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/10/14/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-2) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Collingwood Today](https://collingwoodtoday.ca/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Elora Fergus Today](https://elorafergustoday.com/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/news/national-news/2026/10/14/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Midland Today](https://midlandtoday.ca/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/national/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [The Lethbridge Herald](https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/national-news/2026/10/14/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [The NOTL Local](https://notllocal.com/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/canada/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent/article_1e14282b-ddde-5611-ac8a-46cba949f992.html) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Thorold Today](https://thoroldtoday.ca/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Timmins Today](https://timminstoday.com/national-news/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894793) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/10/14/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [thealbertan.com](https://thealbertan.com/national-business/us-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent-12894813) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Castanet](https://castanet.net/news/Business/634433/U-S-sets-tax-total-for-Canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/business/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent/article_ded939a7-9891-5480-a565-2ecf3d9b537f.html) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/business/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent/article_db039249-ae83-5a02-ad68-b793e46333de.html) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/business/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent/article_6edc5c54-febc-51e3-8707-808dd942116b.html) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/business/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent/article_b9f97d6e-06b9-500b-90b4-25cc3ad48f0b.html) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/10/14/u-s-sets-tax-total-for-canadian-softwood-lumber-exports-at-almost-35-per-cent) — U.S. sets tax total for Canadian softwood lumber exports at almost 35 per cent

## Questions

**What is the new total import tax on Canadian softwood lumber?**

The U.S. Department of Commerce has set the total import taxes on Canadian softwood lumber at almost 35 percent. This figure represents a reduction from the 45 percent rate previously announced.

**What is the BC Lumber Trade Council's reaction to the new tax rate?**

The BC Lumber Trade Council expressed disappointment, stating that Canadian lumber producers continue to face "unjustified and punitive trade measures." They described the combined duties and tariffs as a significant burden on producers.

**How long has the softwood lumber dispute been ongoing?**

The dispute over softwood lumber has been ongoing for nearly a decade. This prolonged issue has placed pressure on communities that are dependent on the forestry industry.

---

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