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 20, 2026
NAHB Announces Best of IBS Winners at International Builders’ ShowThe National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) named the winners of its 13th annual Best of IBS™ Awards during the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Orlando. The awards were presented during a ceremony held on the final day of the show.
Feb 20, 2026
How Land Developers are Leveraging AI to Move FasterAI is helping today's leading land development teams operate differently. By connecting data across ownership, zoning, infrastructure, and development activity, AI can surface early signals of opportunity and support faster, more informed go/no-go decisions
Latest Economic News
Feb 20, 2026
New Home Sales Close 2025 with Modest GainsNew home sales ended 2025 on a mixed but resilient note, signaling steady underlying demand despite ongoing affordability and supply constraints. The latest data released today (and delayed because of the government shutdown in fall of 2025) indicate that while month-to-month activity shows a small decline, sales remain stronger than a year ago, signaling that buyer interest in newly built homes has improved.
Feb 20, 2026
U.S. Economy Ends 2025 on a Slower NoteReal GDP growth slowed sharply in the fourth quarter of 2025 as the historic government shutdown weighed on economic activity. While consumer spending continued to drive growth, federal government spending subtracted over a full percentage point from overall growth.
Feb 19, 2026
Delinquency Rates Normalize While Credit Card and Student Loan Stress WorsensDelinquent consumer loans have steadily increased as pandemic distortions fade, returning broadly to pre-pandemic levels. According to the latest Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 4.8% of outstanding household debt was delinquent at the end of 2025, 0.3 percentage points higher than the third quarter of 2025 and 1.2% higher from year-end 2024.