Seattle Times Highlights NAHB’s Opposition to Lumber Tariffs
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.
Latest from NAHBNow
Feb 27, 2026
New Army Corps Initiative Will Streamline Permitting ProcessThe Army Corps of Engineers on Feb. 23 announced a new initiative called “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” that the agency said will “shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork.”
Feb 27, 2026
Labor Department Proposes New FLSA Independent Contractor RuleThe U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today published notice of its intent to revise its regulations that distinguish covered employees from exempt independent contractors for enforcement purposes under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other laws.
Latest Economic News
Feb 27, 2026
Gains for Student Housing Construction in the Last Quarter of 2025Private fixed investment for student dormitories was up 1.5% in the last quarter of 2025, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $3.9 billion. This gain followed three consecutive quarterly declines before rebounding in the final two quarters of the year.
Feb 27, 2026
Price Growth for Building Materials Slows to Start the YearResidential building material prices rose at a slower rate in January, according to the latest Producer Price Index release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was the first decline in the rate of price growth since April of last year. Metal products continue to experience price increases, while specific wood products are showing declines in prices.
Feb 26, 2026
Home Improvement Loan Applications Moderate as Borrower Profile Gradually AgesHome improvement activity has remained elevated in the post-pandemic period, but both the volume of loan applications and the age profile of borrowers have shifted in notable ways. Data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), analyzed by NAHB, show that total home improvement loan applications have eased from their recent post-pandemic peak, and the distribution of borrowers across age groups has gradually tilted older.