TOILET PAPER MAY GET MORE EXPENSIVE AND LESS SOFT AS TRADE WAR ESCALATES, EXPERTS WARN

DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 31 -- North Carolina State University issued the following press release:

With the United States imposing new tariffs on select Canadian exports, North Carolina State University experts warn that the escalating trade war could raise the price and reduce the quality of toilet paper and other tissue products.

On Aug. 22, 2026, the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian imports, including chemical bleached softwood pulp - technically known as Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft, or NBSK.

"While chemical bleached softwood pulp might sound like a niche commodity, this trade policy lands directly in the grocery store aisle," said Ronalds Gonzalez, an associate professor in the Department of Fore...