U.S. tariffs, softwood lumber and BC's economy
Asked about an early election, the premier has pointed to disruption from the U.S. trade war while saying he has no announcement to make. This page sets out what the government's budget says about tariffs, where the softwood lumber duty review stands, and what each party has published.
What voters say
- Research Co. (Aug 12–14, 2026): 24% name the economy and jobs as the most important issue facing BC, second to housing, poverty and homelessness (29%) (Research Co.). The poll does not report a separate tariff question.
The facts
- Budget assumptions. The government says its revenue outlook “incorporates trade-related uncertainty due to U.S. tariffs” (Budget 2026 fiscal plan). To help the forestry sector through sustained international tariffs, it announced $50 million in new provincial and reallocated federal funding (budget release).
- Softwood lumber duty review. On June 30, 2026 the U.S. Department of Commerce published post-preliminary results in its seventh administrative review of the countervailing duty order on Canadian softwood lumber. The BC government says these do not change current duties or cash deposit rates, which will not change until Commerce issues its final determination, expected October 2026. The post-preliminary combined rates it lists are 31.37% for Canfor, 20.92% for West Fraser, 25.49% for Resolute and 25.18% for all others; it notes these are not in effect and may change (BC government softwood page).
- Premier Eby's position. On April 14, 2026 he urged Ottawa to make a “mutual benefit” case to the U.S., saying the U.S. cannot meet its own lumber demand and has sharply increased imports from Europe and Russia (report of April 14, 2026).
How to read this: the duty rates above are preliminary and for information only. The final determination is the date to watch.
Where the parties stand
| Party | What it has published |
|---|---|
| BC NDP (government) | The government has put money into forestry-sector support in Budget 2026 and, through the premier, is urging Ottawa to press the softwood case with the U.S. (budget release; report of April 14, 2026). |
| Conservative Party of BC | The platform page we reviewed contains no position on trade or tariffs. See the party's site for newer policy (as of September 20, 2026). |
| BC Greens | No concrete position on this topic found in the materials we reviewed (as of September 20, 2026); see the party's own site. |
| CentreBC | No concrete position on this topic found in the materials we reviewed (as of September 20, 2026); see the party's own site. |
| OneBC | No concrete position on this topic found in the materials we reviewed (as of September 20, 2026); see the party's own site. |
How we describe positions: only what a party or the government has published, with a link. Government statements are labelled as the government's claims. Where we found nothing, we say so. Positions come from platform and policy pages reviewed as of September 20, 2026; several parties have not yet published a 2026 platform, and the Conservative and Green pages cited may pre-date the current leaders. BC Vote Watch does not rank or endorse parties. Corrections: see our sourcing rules.
What to watch
The expected October 2026 final softwood determination, any federal tariff relief for lumber, and whether other parties publish trade positions.
FAQ
How do U.S. tariffs affect BC's budget?
The government says its revenue outlook incorporates trade-related uncertainty due to U.S. tariffs, and that it is putting $50 million into forestry-sector support (fiscal plan; release).
When will the U.S. softwood lumber duty rates be final?
The BC government says Commerce's final determination in the current administrative review is expected in October 2026; until then current duties and cash deposit rates do not change (BC government).
Has the premier said an election is tied to the trade war?
He has said British Columbians should have a say given disruption from the trade war, while saying he has no election announcement to make (The Tyee, Sept 17, 2026). No election has been called.