Trump’s 10% tariff on NZ timber and lumber will impact industry

A new tariff of 10 percent on most New Zealand timber and lumber exported to the United States will have a direct financial impact on the New Zealand wood processing industry, with finer details to be worked through once more information is known. Though the tariff won’t stop companies exporting to the U.S., where 30 percent growth has been achieved in the last five years.

The 10 percent tariff was announced by President Trump yesterday following the Section 232 investigation aimed at determining the effects imports of timber, lumber and their derivative products have on the United Sates supply chain. The tariff will be placed on all imported softwood products into the U.S. from the 14 October, with the President saying that the tariff will shore up America’s local industries and support national security.

“We currently export around $370 million of radiata pine products from New Zealand to the United States, making the U.S. our third largest export market for value-added forest products behind China and Australia”, said Chief Executive of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association (WPMA) Mark Ross, “The 10 percent tariff, which is a relief after a 50 percent tariff was touted, will mean additional costs being added to our exporters bottom line that can either be taken on board, shared or paid for by their U.S. based customers”.

On top of the effects on the New Zealand industry, the American consumer will also be directly impacted through domestic supply chain disruptions and price increases on home building materials such as clear appearance grade mouldings, solid wood sidings and primed product. As one customer in the United States commented “a lot of what we buy from New Zealand we can’t get elsewhere easily, so expect we may have to pay extra, resulting in higher prices for the consumer”.

“As we absorb this tariff information and move forward WPMA will continue to work closely with our members, the wider forestry supply chain, and government as to developing options for navigating the impact on our wood industry, and developing ways that we can retain and grow our high-value New Zealand Radiata Pine timber export market within the United States,” said Ross.

We thank all our members, the wider forestry industry, Minister Todd McClay, our trade officials and kindred U.S. based Associations for supporting our advocacy drive over the last six months to push a case for a low tariff or exemption on our timber and lumber products.

Working as a team, we have achieved a lot in gaining a feasible tariff outcome, plus bringing affected parties together. Without this effort the outcome could have been a lot worse based on other section 232 investigations, such as steel, aluminium and copper, where a 50 percent tariff or higher has now been placed on these products.

More >>

Source: WPMA