US shoppers urged not to panic buy toilet paper amid Canada tariff row
29.08.2026, dpa
A US trade association has urged consumers to exercise restraint when buying toilet paper during the escalating trade dispute with Canada, which threatens to push up prices for this and other household essentials.
"It is important that families and households understand there is no need to panic buy," a spokeswoman for the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the trade association for US manufacturers of toilet paper and other paper products, recently told dpa.
"US tissue supply chains are designed to be predictable and efficient, and sudden spikes in demand can place unnecessary strain on a system built to reliably meet normal household needs," the spokeswoman added.
Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on a wide range of products from September 8 in response to US punitive tariffs.
According to the government in Ottawa, as well as affecting kitchenware, packing materials, cosmetics, shampoos and many other items, the tariffs will also apply to 25-50% of toilet roll and paper products used for toilet roll.
World champion consumer of loo roll
The association subsequently stated that the retaliatory tariffs would risk adding uncertainty and cost for manufacturers, workers, customers and communities on both sides of the border.
"At the same time, escalating tariff disputes between the US and Canada will disrupt the cross-border supply chains that help mills and manufacturers invest, compete and deliver essential products people depend on every day."
Currently, a roll of toilet paper costs around $1 in the US, where citizens are considered to be particularly keen users.
According to calculations by the statistics platform Statista in 2018, consumption averaged 141 rolls per person per year - more than in any other country surveyed at the time.
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