Wiped out: US faces surging toilet paper prices amid trade war with Canada

Toilet paper purchasing and habits

• Some plan to “stock up” heavily, recalling COVID-era shortages; others note they still have leftover pandemic supplies.
• A few joke about mailing rolls to politicians or switching to extreme measures (e.g., cats, corncobs).
• Several note institutional waste: janitors replacing nearly full rolls, or rolls discarded when slightly wet.

Bidets and other alternatives

• Many strongly advocate bidets (full smart toilets, simple attachments, or even DIY bottle-based sprayers) as a way to cut TP use and improve cleanliness.
• Others report mixed experiences: feeling too wet, ending up using more TP to dry, or concern about splash and not being able to “verify” cleanliness.
• Responses emphasize: bidets reduce, not eliminate, TP; TP is still used for drying/checking. Some mention models with air-dryers or fans, though effectiveness varies.
• Washable cloth “toilet towels” are mentioned; even environmentally minded users see them as a step too far, though some defend them for non-public use.
• Wet wipes are proposed as a compromise, with reminders not to flush them.

Usage statistics, diet, and health

• The quoted figure of ~141 rolls/year per American and ~134 per German prompts skepticism; some say it’s based on assumed roll weight and may overstate real use.
• Explanations offered: lack of bidets, people wadding large amounts, commercial/institutional waste, and high variability between individuals.
• Diet is repeatedly cited: highly processed “Standard American Diet,” low fiber, obesity, and untreated digestive issues likely increase TP use.
• Others counter that high fiber can also increase volume/looseness; experiences differ, with some reporting far less TP on stable high-fiber diets.

Environmental and material alternatives

• Several argue for switching from wood-based TP to bamboo-based products as more sustainable, though not perfect.
• Some highlight Canadian forestry’s impact, while others push back, citing specific regions as highly sustainable and offering to back that with sources.

US–Canada trade, tariffs, and customs

• Discussion broadens to tariffs and protectionism:
  • Canada’s long-standing dairy quotas and high tariffs raise domestic prices but protect self-sufficiency.
  • Canada also faces concentrated domestic monopolies/oligopolies in multiple sectors.
  • The US and other developed countries also use heavy agriculture subsidies; no one is truly practicing “pure” free trade.
• Border anecdotes: Americans often find US customs relatively lax; Canadian customs seen as stricter and duties on items like alcohol described as steep.
• Some Canadians cross the border for cheaper groceries and fuel; Americans sometimes seek cheaper meds or procedures abroad.

Politics and motivations

• Many comments blame the current US administration (Trump) for unnecessary, politically driven tariffs that alienate allies and raise prices with little benefit.
• Views on Trump’s motives vary:
  • Some see pure greed, short-term “wins,” or humiliation of counterparts.
  • Others argue there is a broader US strategy of hard-nosed protectionism and power politics, comparable to behavior toward other regions.
  • A minority speculates about long-term efforts to weaken Canadian sovereignty, while others say this is overthinking.
• Several note that trade conflicts tend to be lose-lose, with China or other competitors potentially benefiting from fractures among allies.