[Washington] Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), issued the following statement on today's ruling by the International Trade Commission (ITC) that lumber shipments from Canada pose a threat of injury to domestic lumber producers.
"We are disappointed by the ITC ruling and believe this is a protectionist measure designed to safeguard the interests of major domestic lumber producers at the expense of American consumers. This decision means the tariffs imposed by the Commerce Department will remain in effect for Canadian lumber shipments into the U.S. These tariffs are acting as a tax on American home buyers and lumber consumers."
"NAHB estimates that these tariffs will increase the price of an average single-family home built in 2018 by $1,360. Since the U.S. doesn't' produce enough lumber to meet the nation's domestic needs, we need to take steps to boost domestic production. At the same time, the U.S. and Canada need to hammer out an equitable agreement to resolve this ongoing trade dispute that will provide American consumers a steady supply of lumber at a reasonable price."