Congressional Letter to USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai Regarding Increased Lumber Costs
Issue Date: May 17, 2021
On May 17 Representative Kevin Hern, Representative Brian Higgins, and fifty four other Members of Congress sent a letter a United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai. The letter expresses the signatories "concern over reports of sharp increases in the cost of lumber." The letter holds that though "construction has [fortunately] remained an essential activity through the coronavirus crisis...this has resulted an increased demand for lumber and shortages nationwide. Consequently, lumber prices have skyrocketed more than 300% since last spring." The signatories call on the Ambassador "to represent American interests on this critical issue by pursuing a balanced agreement with Canada."