The Financial Post reports in its Monday edition that U.S. softwood timber tariffs are heavily impacting the lumber industry. A Postmedia dispatch to the Post reports that West Fraser Timber announced plans to permanently close its Augusta, Ga., and 100 Mile House mills by the end of 2025 due to declining demand and tariffs reaching 45 per cent. About 165 employees at the 100 Mile House mill will be laid off, reducing West Fraser's capacity by 160 million board feet. Ravi Parmar, B.C.'s Minister of Forests, said in a statement: "Let's be clear, this closure is another consequence of Donald Trump's unfair attack on Canada's forestry sector. His tariffs are hurting workers, families and communities on both sides of the border. These tariffs further exacerbate the challenges and pressures the forestry sector is already facing, such as the end of the mountain pine beetle harvest, recent unprecedented wildfires and climate change. The Augusta lumber mill is closing due to low demand and lack of viable residual outlets, resulting in a reduction of 140 million board feet in capacity. West Fraser will also permanently curtail operations at its Huttig, Ark., and Lake Butler, Fla., mills, which will be dismantled and sold.