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

Housing Finance

Jun 24, 2026

HUD Announces 14 Regulatory Changes to Help Lower Housing Costs

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced 14 policy changes to its Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Single Family mortgage insurance program aimed at lowering costs, easing regulatory burdens, and improving affordability for Americans using FHA-insured mortgages.

Advocacy

Jun 24, 2026

NAHB Statement on President Trump Canceling Signing of Housing Bill

NAHB Chairman Bill Owens issued the following statement after President Trump canceled his plan to sign landmark housing legislation today.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jun 24, 2026

Sawmill Output Slips as Capacity Continues to Decline

U.S. sawmill production fell in the first quarter, the second consecutive quarter of lower output according to the Federal Reserve G.17 Industrial Production report. Sawmill output has remained largely flat since 2023, after increasing in the post-pandemic period.

Economics

Jun 23, 2026

State-Level Employment Situation: May 2026

State labor market conditions remained mixed in May, with payrolls expanding in many states while job losses were concentrated in a smaller group of states and the District of Columbia (D.C.). Construction employment also continued to grow nationwide, although performance varied considerably across states.

Economics

Jun 22, 2026

Structural Demand Outpacing Supply: Jobs-to-Permits Ratios Highlight Housing Gap

Strong labor market growth continued to put pressure on the nation’s housing supply in 2024, as home building activity did not fully keep pace with demand driven by job gains. Comparing net new jobs with prior-year permitting activity helps show whether the pace of housing construction is keeping up with potential household formation and broader economic growth.