Breaking Down the 25% Tariff: How Lumber Shapes North American Housing Costs?

In this infographic, I dive into the concrete data behind the recent announcement of a 25% tariff on Canadian imports to the U.S., with a focus on one of the most critical materials in North American housing construction: HS 440713 lumber. This lumber accounts for about 30% of the total U.S. consumption, with Canada exporting nearly US$8 billion worth annually compared to a mere US$11 million in U.S. exports to Canada.

Even before Trump's tariff news, there was an ongoing trade dispute—with U.S. claims that Canadian companies were engaging in illegal dumping by artificially lowering prices. While lumber is a prime example due to its market size and importance in residential construction, thousands of other materials will also be affected by this new era of political negotiation. What could this mean for market dynamics and the already stressed housing construction prices? Could detailed data analysis help mitigate the impact on economies and communities?