Seattle Times Highlights NAHB’s Opposition to Lumber Tariffs

Housing Affordability
Published

The Seattle Times has published an editorial by NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke that lays out a strong case against tariffs on Canadian lumber shipments into the United States that are fueling lumber price volatility and harming housing affordability.

Under the headline, “Tariffs on Canadian Lumber are Driving Up Home Prices,” Fowke lays out a strong case on how the Commerce Department’s recent move to double tariffs on Canadian lumber from 9% to 17.9% has effectively delivered a body blow to American home buyers, renters and businesses that rely on lumber products.

He further cites the reasons for the latest lumber price surge and provides specific actions that policymakers need to take to reduce price volatility and increase supply.

View the full editorial.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

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

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Disaster Response | HBIDRF Projects

Nov 11, 2025

Georgia HBA Rebuilds Veteran’s Home Destroyed by Hurricane Helene

As we celebrate Veterans Day, NAHB members across the country are showing that service takes many forms, including helping veterans recover after natural disasters.

Trends

Nov 10, 2025

Three-Bedroom Homes Reach Highest Market Share Since 2011

Three-bedroom homes made up 47% of all single-family homes built in 2024, their largest share of new home starts since 2011. All other bedroom number categories fell from 2023.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Nov 07, 2025

Which Local Markets Track National Trends the Most: 2024 Multifamily MAI

Following the release of the 2024 single-family MAI last week, the National Association of Home Builders developed the Multifamily Market Association Index (MAI) to measure how closely multifamily building permits in metro areas follow national patterns.

Economics

Nov 06, 2025

Multifamily Developer Confidence Increases in Third Quarter, But Still in Negative Territory

The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 46, up six points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 74, down one point year-over-year.

Economics

Nov 05, 2025

Bedrooms in New Single-Family Homes in 2024

Three-bedroom single-family homes reached their largest share of starts since 2011 and remained the most prevalent number of bedrooms among new homes.