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

Advocacy

May 20, 2026

House Approves Revised Housing Bill in Major Win for NAHB

In a significant victory for NAHB and the broader housing sector, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that removes a build-to-rent (BTR) sales provision that would have hurt affordability and reduced much-needed housing supply.

Advocacy

May 20, 2026

NAHB Applauds House Passage of Landmark Housing Bill

NAHB Chairman Bill Owens issued the following statement after the House approved major housing legislation today.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

May 20, 2026

What It Takes to Leave Parental Home

As of 2024, one in five adults aged 25-34 lives with parents or in-laws. NAHB’s analysis of the latest American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) evaluates a wide range of socioeconomic and demographic factors that shape young adults’ path to independence.

Economics

May 19, 2026

Who Drives Remodeling Spending?

Residential remodeling is an important and growing sector of the housing market, particularly as elevated mortgage rates and limited housing inventory encourage many homeowners to improve their existing homes rather than move.

Economics

May 18, 2026

Builder Sentiment Posts Gain in May but Significant Affordability Challenges Persist

Builder confidence posted a modest gain in May even as buyers grapple with rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty while builders continue to contend with elevated land, labor and construction costs.