An Ottawa hardwood flooring manufacturer says ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States are creating uncertainty for businesses, even as the two countries signal renewed progress in negotiations. Logs End, a Canadian-owned flooring company with a showroom in Stittsville and a manufacturing facility in Bristol, Que., has been producing hardwood flooring since 1997. While most of its business comes from Canadian customers, the company also sells products south of the border. “The biggest impact for us is the uncertainty that it creates in the marketplace,” said Steven McCord, business development manager at Logs End. “Our customers need to know that the price that we quote them is what they’re going to pay.” McCord says American sales account for only a small portion of the company’s annual revenue, but the constantly changing trade landscape is making it difficult to plan for future growth in the U.S. market. He says decisions about expanding into the United States require long-term planning, something that becomes increasingly difficult when tariffs can change with little warning. The Trump administration announced another round of changes to tariffs on Canadian products on Friday, removing some items from the list of goods facing additional 50 per cent duties while adding others. The changes, which include certain wood-related products, are scheduled to take effect on Oct. 30. Not all Canadian hardwood flooring products are covered by the measures. At Logs End, the ongoing uncertainty has already prompted changes to the company’s supply chain. McCord says the manufacturer has moved away from some American suppliers, choosing Canadian and European alternatives for products including adhesives used in flooring manufacturing installation. “Some of the consumable products that we previously sourced from the United States, we have found and diversified either Canadian or European suppliers,” McCord said. The changes are intended to help control costs and provide more stability for Canadian customers. McCord says the company is not anticipating any direct price increases at this time, although shipping products to the United States continues to present additional challenges. Customs and brokerage fees are assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure customers know what they can expect to pay. Despite the uncertainty, the company’s Canadian business remains strong. McCord says Logs End has seen continued demand from the custom home and renovation markets, including a strong year in 2025 despite challenging economic conditions. “We feel, you know, we’re providing a high-end product that our customers continue to see the value in,” he said. Meanwhile, a top White House advisor said on Sunday that trade negotiations between Canada and the United States were gaining momentum. Canada’s trade minister’s office says discussions are continuing. For Logs End, McCord says the priority remains serving its Canadian customers while maintaining relationships with buyers in the United States. “We want to be able to continue to serve our established U.S. customers and know that they can be confident in continuing to buy here,” he said.
