Statement from NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke on Easing of European Steel Tariffs

Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Tampa, Fla., issued the following statement regarding President Biden’s decision to relax tariffs on European steel and aluminum:

“While administration officials are hailing President Biden’s decision to ease tariffs on European steel and aluminum, housing affordability continues to take a hit due to ongoing tariffs on Canadian lumber.

“U.S. Commerce Secretary Raimondo was quoted as saying the agreement with the European Union will ‘provide relief in the supply chain and drive down cost increases.’ But what about cost relief for millions of American home buyers and home owners who have seen the cost of housing rise by tens of thousands of dollars over the past year due in part to unprecedented lumber price volatility fueled by tariffs on Canadian lumber? Until a long-term solution can be reached, the administration needs to suspend duties on all imported building materials and goods, including Canadian lumber, to ease supply chain bottlenecks that are causing project delays and putting upward pressure on home prices.”