Elizabeth City Economy Rides Tariffs Tide Amid Trade War

The city of Elizabeth City's economy has been shaped by its history as a hub for lumber production. Logs were floated from the Pasquotank River and Dismal Swamp Canal to local mills, where they were processed into high-quality wood products like shingles and siding.

In the early colonial period, forests in eastern North Carolina provided a major source of income, with large areas cleared for farming and timber production. Longleaf pines, in particular, were highly valued for their tar, pitch, turpentine, and rosin, which were used to protect ships.

However, the US is currently engaged in a trade war with Canada, which has imposed tariffs on paper and wood products. Canadian companies have been able to undercut American prices due to government subsidies, making it difficult for domestic producers to compete.

JW Jones, a local lumber company, employs around 150 workers and buys timber from smaller companies in the area. While the tariffs may provide a short-term boost to local industries, a new trade treaty is being negotiated between the US and Canada, which could ultimately affect the industry's long-term prospects.