Coming next week: The U.S. could face pandemic-like toilet paper shortages and price hikes; here’s the main reason

Why are tariffs affecting toilet paper?

These tariffs may disrupt the supply of a key pulp ingredient, resulting in reduced output. Industry experts warn that this could lead to pandemic-like shortages, affecting American consumers.

According to Bloomberg News, President Donald Trump's higher tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber may unintentionally cause production of the bathroom essential to be disrupted.

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How bad could the shortage get?

The news agency said, citing industry participants and observers, that the Trump administration's plans to raise duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 27% and potentially to over 50% later could affect the supply of northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, or NBSK, a crucial component of toilet paper and paper towels, as reported by Quartz.

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There will be fewer wood chips available to make pulp as a result of the lumber import taxes, which will eventually force some sawmills out of business.
Due to the market's delicate balance, this will result in short-term closures and reduced ingredient production, which could lead to pandemic-style shortages of the final products and potentially higher prices.

On April 2, when 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods were postponed and were scheduled to take effect, Trump is expected to declare «reciprocal» tariffs on foreign goods.
25% tariffs on all imported vehicles, trucks, and auto parts, including those produced in Canada by American businesses, have already been announced by him.

This year, the 14% import tax on Canadian softwood lumber is expected to increase to nearly 27%.
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