NAHB backs lumber talks letter
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is supporting a letter signed by more than 170 members of Congress, urging the Trump administration to restart softwood lumber trade talks with Canada.
Sent on June 12, the letter notes that lumber prices continue skyrocket since the last softwood agreement ended in October 2015. The end result is soaring lumber costs and home prices.
In a statement issued by the NAHB, chairman Randy Noel said, “NAHB applauds these members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle for taking a stand for homeownership. The current situation is clearly unacceptable. Tariffs averaging more than 20% on Canadian softwood lumber shipments into the U.S. are contributing to rising market volatility and record-high lumber prices that are making it harder for millions of Americans to afford a home.”
NAHB Chairman Randy Noel.
According to the NAHB, since the beginning of last year, rising lumber prices made worse by tariffs on imported Canadian softwood lumber have increased the price of an average single-family home by nearly $9,000. It has also knocked close to 1.4 million potential home buyers out of the housing market, the NAHB estimates.
"It’s important to note that the congressional letter does not take sides in this trade dispute. It simply highlights the urgent need for the U.S. and Canada to renew negotiations in an effort to come to an equitable solution that will satisfy all sides — including domestic industries and consumers — that rely on softwood lumber for their economic well-being,” said Noel, also a home builder in LaPlace, La.
Yesterday the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association announced its support of the letter and the reopening of trade talks with Canada.
Sent on June 12, the letter notes that lumber prices continue skyrocket since the last softwood agreement ended in October 2015. The end result is soaring lumber costs and home prices.
In a statement issued by the NAHB, chairman Randy Noel said, “NAHB applauds these members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle for taking a stand for homeownership. The current situation is clearly unacceptable. Tariffs averaging more than 20% on Canadian softwood lumber shipments into the U.S. are contributing to rising market volatility and record-high lumber prices that are making it harder for millions of Americans to afford a home.”
NAHB Chairman Randy Noel.According to the NAHB, since the beginning of last year, rising lumber prices made worse by tariffs on imported Canadian softwood lumber have increased the price of an average single-family home by nearly $9,000. It has also knocked close to 1.4 million potential home buyers out of the housing market, the NAHB estimates.
"It’s important to note that the congressional letter does not take sides in this trade dispute. It simply highlights the urgent need for the U.S. and Canada to renew negotiations in an effort to come to an equitable solution that will satisfy all sides — including domestic industries and consumers — that rely on softwood lumber for their economic well-being,” said Noel, also a home builder in LaPlace, La.
Yesterday the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association announced its support of the letter and the reopening of trade talks with Canada.