The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has taken a firm stance on the latest round of proposed tariffs, advocating for policies that protect housing affordability and reduce uncertainty in the lumber and building materials sector.

Last week, NLBMDA sent a letter to President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging the administration to avoid measures that would raise construction costs and threaten housing affordability. The timing was strategic—just days before a new round of tariffs went into effect on April 2.

“The United States has an affordable housing crisis and we as a nation must be focused on advocating for measures that reduce construction costs and eliminate regulatory barriers,” said NLBMDA President & CEO Jonathan Paine. “Policies to the contrary will detract from advancing the construction of affordable housing and create uncertainty throughout the housing market.”

The association emphasized that while they support strengthening the U.S. timber industry and increasing domestic sourcing, those efforts will take time. In the meantime, policies must reflect the current realities of the supply chain, where Canadian species such as Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) still play a critical role in meeting demand.

NLBMDA’s position was echoed by the North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA), which released its own statement opposing the tariffs. The group warned that increased costs would be passed on to contractors and consumers, creating an inflationary ripple effect across the entire housing industry.

“These tariffs will stymy demand for building materials and severely hinder the growth of both our communities and the bottom lines of our small businesses,” the NBMDA statement read.

In contrast, the U.S. Lumber Coalition voiced strong support for the tariffs, citing the need to protect American jobs and ensure enforcement of U.S. trade laws. Coalition leaders argue that Canadian lumber imports are unfairly subsidized, depressing prices and causing closures in the U.S. sawmill sector.

As industry perspectives clash, NLBMDA remains committed to representing dealers’ interests in Washington. The association continues to call for a long-term trade agreement that fosters price stability, supports small businesses, and helps address the ongoing housing crisis.

“We appreciate the actions taken by President Trump to delay previously scheduled tariffs and urge the United States and its trade counterparts to reach a long-term agreement to ensure stability in the housing and construction sector,” said Paine.

NLBMDA’s full letter to the administration is available here:
📄 NLBMDA Trade Letter to White House and USTR – March 24, 2025

Sources:

• NLBMDA Weekly Update Newsletter, March 31, 2025
• NLBMDA Press Release: NLBMDA Urges Balanced Trade Policies, March 24, 2025
• Woodworking Network Article: “Lumber, building materials dealer groups raise tariff alarms; Lumber Coalition shows support”, March 25, 2025
• U.S. Lumber Coalition Statements, March 2025