How did the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854 affect New Brunswick trade?

The Reciprocity Treaty of 1854, also known as the Elgin-Marcy Reciprocity Agreement, served to stimulate trade for New Brunswick. By allowing for the duty-free exchange of natural resources and agricultural products—such as timber, grain, and meats—between the United States and British North American colonies, the treaty provided a significant economic boost to the province.12

This agreement, combined with the increased demand for goods generated by the American Civil War, helped further the prosperity of New Brunswick during its era of wood, wind, and water. The treaty facilitated access to American markets, which complemented the province's existing economic foundation built upon its widespread forests and timber exports.1