- US imposes 50% tariff hike on Canadian paper products, leading to increased costs for consumers.
- Canada threatens retaliatory tariffs of 25-50% on toilet paper or face tissue stock from 8 September.
- As a result of the trade war, the US faces surging toilet paper prices.
The U.S. toilet paper market is bracing for significant price increases as Canada threatens tariffs of 25-50% on imports starting September 8. This move is a direct response to a recent 50% price hike imposed by Washington.2
Procter & Gamble, the owner of Charmin toilet paper, indicated last year that it would need to raise prices due to existing tariffs.
The U.S. imported $328 million worth of toilet paper from Canada in 2024, making Canada the largest exporter of this essential product to the U.S.
Despite producing much of its toilet paper domestically, the U.S. relies on Canada for raw materials, particularly from its lumber-rich regions.
The U.S. accounts for over 20% of global tissue consumption, despite having only 4% of the world’s population. Americans use an average of 141 rolls of toilet paper per year, leading the world in consumption ahead of Germany, where the average is 134 rolls annually.
As retailers source much of their paper products from Canada, the impending tariffs could disrupt supply chains and lead to higher prices for consumers.
“Canada's threatened tariffs target toilet paper or face tissue stock, a key paper product, and would take effect from 8 September. The 50% US tariff hike on paper products is a major driver of the price surge, hitting consumers directly.”
The Guardian
