The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) urges US to end lumber tariffs and boost domestic production
Posted on March 21, 2022 |
- NAHB urged the Biden administration to increase domestic production of timber from federal lands and to work with Canada on a new softwood lumber agreement that will stop tariffs.
- The high price levels for lumber and other building materials are affecting home prices and rental costs which are threatening the nation’s economic stability.
- Homebuilding material costs grew by 20% year-over-year, and since last August, the price of framing lumber has tripled and oriented strand board prices have doubled, and these supply chain price gains are only adding to the continuing housing affordability crisis.
- In October 2021, domestic lumber production was 0.4% higher than the previous year and today stands lower than it was in 2018, despite an increase in demand.
- The domestic sawmill production increased by 500 jobs last year despite high lumber prices.