Top Canadian Official Tells NAHB Canada Seeks New Lumber Trade Deal

Material Costs
Published

Mary Ng, Canada’s top trade official, expressed a strong willingness and desire to engage in negotiations with the United States on a new softwood lumber trade agreement during a video conference meeting yesterday with NAHB CEO Jerry Howard and senior staff.

The Canadian trade minister met with her U.S. counterpart, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, on July 6 and raised the issue of U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber and the importance of keeping interconnected supply chains open.

The United States is currently imposing 9% tariffs on Canadian lumber shipments into the country and a preliminary decision by the U.S. Commerce Department could result in the tariffs doubling to 18.32% by this fall. NAHB has been urging the Biden administration to move quickly to resume trade talks and has always opposed tariffs on Canadian lumber that exacerbate price volatility and raise housing costs.

Howard testified before Congress on July 14 and said: “Regarding the current lumber crisis, the U.S. must immediately engage with Canada to adopt a new softwood lumber agreement and stop the imposition of harmful tariffs on Canadian lumber.”

NAHB’s meeting with Minister Ng was a positive step forward and we will continue to urge the administration to return to the negotiating table with Canada and hammer out a new softwood lumber trade agreement that will end tariffs and help restore price stability to the lumber market.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

IBS | Leading Suppliers Council | Design

Jun 20, 2025

The New American Home 2026: Innovation Meets Impact

The New American Home 2026, the official show home of the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® in Orlando, is already drawing industry buzz for its distinctive design and rare structural features.

Remodeling | Publications

Jun 19, 2025

Award-Winning Advice: Surround Yourself With Good People

In the latest edition of Pro Remodeler, 2024 Remodeler of the Year Mike Pressgrove shares advice from his career.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jun 20, 2025

Single-family Construction Loan Volume Grows

Credit conditions for builders and developers eased in the first quarter of 2025 as the level of outstanding 1-4 family residential construction loans rose for the first time in two years, according to data released by FDIC.

Economics

Jun 18, 2025

The Fed Pause Continues

Reflecting most forecasters’ expectations for the June FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve continued its post-2024 pause for federal funds rate cuts, retaining a target rate of 4.5% to 4.25%.

Economics

Jun 18, 2025

Sharp Drop in Multifamily Production Brings Overall Housing Starts Down

A sharp decline in multifamily production pushed overall housing starts down in May, while single-family output was essentially flat due to economic and tariff uncertainty along with elevated interest rates.