Can America Reap the Benefits of Canadian Lumber?
Yes, American construction workers and homeowners can easily utilize Canadian lumber due to its high quality and efficiency. I had a backyard fence built a couple of years ago, and despite a backlog of deliveries from the lumber company in Virginia, USA, the materials were sourced from Canada within a week of my order. This highlights the advantage of quick supply chains from a friendly neighbor.
The Political Duty on Canadian Forest Products in the U.S.
However, American buyers face a significant barrier—what can best be termed as a political duty on Canadian forest products. This imbalance in the lumber trade dates back to approximately 30 years ago when American forest products companies, particularly those in the American south, were losing market share to their Canadian counterparts.
The industry leveled a false accusation, stating that Canadian products were subsidized by the Canadian provincial government. This baseless claim was taken to American trade regulators, who dismissed the industry's accusations. Desperate for a solution, the industry’s Washington lawyers proposed a workaround. Through leveraging political influence, they managed to secure duties on Canadian forest products based on this unsubstantiated claim.
The International Trade Dispute
Canada, recognizing the wrongful imposition of these duties, lodged their case with various international trade tribunals. With consistency, their claims were rejected, enabling Canada to impose countervailing duties on American products. Unfortunately for Canada, there were no American products being sold in Canada from which such duties could be levied.
The Success of Canadian Lumber: Market Proofs and Performance
Despite this political challenge, the outcome has been predominantly favorable for Canadian lumber. American trade bodies and panelists could not consistently prove that Canadian products were subsidized. In addition, Canadian lumber's market superiority over American products is evident in its natural and inherent qualities.
The growth conditions in the American south yield timber with wider growth rings due to a longer growing season. This faster growth means that lumber from southern American forests can be brought to market sooner than the shorter-growing Canadian timber. These wider growth rings provide American timber with a broader and lighter aesthetic, whereas Canadian lumber, with its shorter growing season and narrow growth rings, showcases more linear strength.
The Performance of Lumber in Different Growing Environments
As a result of these growing conditions, American lumber tends to have a more open grain structure and a lighter appearance. This grain structure can be both aesthetically pleasing and functional, giving it a unique charm. On the other hand, Canadian lumber, though denser and displaying excellent linear strength, may not meet the aesthetic preferences in the American market.
Building with Lumber: Narrow Growth Rings and Linear Strength
Builders who utilize lumber for construction recognize the distinct advantages of each. The narrow growth rings in Canadian lumber offer superior linear strength, contributing to the overall durability and stability of structures. This property is especially valuable in critical load-bearing applications where robustness is paramount.
All in all, while the political duties on Canadian lumber present challenges for American buyers, the natural qualities and market performance of Canadian lumber make it a superior choice in many construction projects. The differences in growing seasons and the resultant linear strength are key factors that builders need to consider when choosing between American and Canadian lumber.
Conclusion
While there are political barriers to the use of Canadian lumber in the United States, the natural qualities and market superiority of Canadian lumber make it a highly desirable material for construction projects. Understanding the differences in growing seasons and the resulting properties of lumber is crucial for making informed decisions in the building industry.