Differences in housing types, home sizes, location, and construction techniques mean that one housing start isn’t the same as another. The same goes with lumber production; how much mills sell and where they sell it varies from year to year. (Witness Canada’s revived effort to do more business in Asia.) Here’s why it’s important to understand these differences to make certain you’re reading the housing numbers properly. They could be crucial to producing and buying wisely.

A restaurant might offer a Soup du Jour every day, but what goes into it changes constantly based on the quantity and quality of the ingredients. It’s the same with lumber pricing: How much higher or lower the price goes depends on what’s happening with key fundamental ingredients. Which will influence the direction of lumber prices over the coming months? In this special report, NAWLA will report on what’s happening now, and is likely to happen in the future, with five issues that will play a key role in determining future lumber prices.

Lumber duties and Section 232, Tariff developments, economic impact generally, economic impact builders, what to expect By Craig Webb, President, Webb Analytics

Trade and tariff policies between the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other countries are in flux, presenting significant risks of both higher prices and slower growth. Understanding the interests and intentions behind the U.S. trade push is crucial for framing the potential impact on lumber, housing, interest rates, the dollar, equity markets, and more. Join top-ranked economist Jason Schenker for this exclusive member briefing and discussion about the risks, challenges, and opportunities following the Realpolitik application of U.S. trade and tariff policies. Bloomberg News has ranked Jason the #1 forecaster in the world in 27 different financial and economic categories since 2011. A bestselling author and professional speaker, Jason advises industry groups, private and public companies, and institutional investors with his award-winning research, executive briefings, and high-value board presentations. His latest book is Cold War Two: Navigating a New Era of Uncertainty for the Economy, Finance, Energy, Technology, Trade, and Supply Chain. Jason is an advisor to the U.S. State Department, an Adjunct Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and adjunct faculty for the Joint Special Operations University at U.S. Special Operations Command. He frequently appears on Bloomberg Television, CNBC, BNN, CNN, and the BBC. Speaker: Jason Schenker, Top-ranked Economist, Leading Futurist, Bestselling Author, President of Prestige Economics and Chairman of The Futurist Institute