The U.S. Lumber Coalition made a statement to Massachusetts Governor Healey on the claim that lumber imports cause housing pricing affordability issues. On Oct. 14, the additional 10% tariff on softwood lumber and timber imports took into effect. This increases the current tariffs on Canadian lumber to a total of 45%. Currently, up to 85% of all U.S. lumber imports hail from Canada. While some hardwood and lumber companies across the U.S asked for federal support because of the effect of tariffs on their businesses, the U.S. Lumber Coalition is in support of enforcement of the trade law.
The Coalition is an alliance of large and small softwood lumber producers from around the country, joined by their employees and woodland owners. In a statement, Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director of the U.S. Lumber Coalition, asked for Healey to reconsider these claims.
“The cost of lumber makes up less than 2 percent of the total cost of a new home, and hence never has and never will be a factor in housing affordability. In fact, lumber prices have been so depressed that builder companies have boasted in their earnings calls that they will try to use those low prices to their advantage when negotiating deals for the coming year,” said van Heyningen.
