UPDATE: As of Friday, January 31, 2025 at 10:25 a.m., ABMA has contacted the White House to formally request an exemption for Canadian SPF from the tariffs. In support of this effort, the alliance has submitted a memo outlining the industry’s reasons for seeking the exemption, emphasizing the critical role Canadian SPF plays in Northeast construction and the broader economic impact of increased tariffs. We will be sure to keep all members updated on this developing story.
Tariffs Will Not Make American Lumber More Competitive in the Northeast
This week, ABMA member Jeremy Baker of rk MILES joined a business roundtable with Rep. Becca Balint, where Vermont business leaders discussed pending tariffs and their impact on material costs. With President Trump reaffirming his intent to move forward with a new 25% tariff on Canadian lumber this Saturday, concerns over affordability and supply chain disruptions are at the forefront of industry discussions.
Currently, Canadian lumber already faces a 15% tariff, and this additional 25% increase would bring the total tariff to 40%. Many ABMA members in the Northeast stock exclusively Canadian SPF lumber because it is the preferred choice in architectural plans. The issue is not price—in almost all cases Canadian SPF is not inherently stronger than American SPFs lumber; it simply receives a higher rating due to differences in the Canadian grading system.
As a result, architects overwhelmingly specify Canadian SPF lumber in their designs, effectively eliminating the ability to use American lumber in many projects. This means that increasing tariffs will not make American lumber more competitive—it will simply increase construction costs without changing material preferences.
In addition to Rep. Balint, ABMA has been actively engaged in discussions with Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office regarding the tariffs’ impact and has a meeting with Senator Susan Collins office later today to discuss ABMA’s tax priorities, where the issue of tariffs will undoubtedly be discussed as well.
ABMA will continue advocating for policies that support fair competition, promote affordability, and address long-standing rating disparities that disadvantage American lumber.
Key Cabinet Confirmations Completed
The Republican-led Senate has moved swiftly to confirm President Trump’s Cabinet members. Below are the newly confirmed officials whose agencies oversee key policies affecting ABMA members. ABMA has already initiated outreach to their staff to ensure our industry’s concerns are heard.
Department of Transportation – Sean Duffy
Confirmed January 28 (77-22 vote)
Duffy, a former Congressman from Wisconsin and reality TV personality, now leads the Department of Transportation. ABMA looks forward to working with Secretary Duffy and his team to ease workforce development training regulations and expand access to programs that improve road safety while reducing employer costs.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Lee Zeldin
Confirmed January 29 (56-42 vote)
Zeldin, a former New York Congressman, gubernatorial candidate, and Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, now heads the EPA. The agency oversees EV truck mandates, which the administration has already begun rolling back through executive orders. ABMA will closely monitor these regulatory changes and advocate for practical solutions that balance environmental goals with industry needs.
Roadless Rule Reversed in Tongass National Forest
President Trump has directed the Secretary of Agriculture to reopen areas of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska for timber harvesting and road construction. Tongass is the largest forest in the U.S., and the move reverses previous restrictions under the Roadless Rule.
Environmental groups have already signaled their intent to file lawsuits to block development. ABMA will continue monitoring developments to assess potential impacts on the nation’s timber supply chain.
Labor Secretary Nominee Chavez-DeRemer Gains Bipartisan Support
The nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor is gaining strong bipartisan momentum. Senator Rand Paul predicts that 25 Democratic senators will vote for her confirmation, alongside at least 15 Republican senators breaking from party lines. The Teamsters Union has launched a national digital ad campaign urging support for Chavez-DeRemer, an unusual show of labor backing for a Republican nominee. United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Randi Weingarten has also endorsed her confirmation, highlighting the broad coalition forming in favor of her appointment.
ABMA will monitor the confirmation process and assess how the new Secretary’s policies will impact workforce regulations affecting our industry.
