HBSDealer’s poll question from Jan. 24 asked “Should the U.S. pursue a policy of aggressive tariffs?” Example responses include:

•  Kelvin Kunath, Kunath’s Hardware — “If tariffs are not used strategically, then, yes, they can be bad. However, if used correctly they can be a benefit.
• Peter Ganahl, Ganahl Lumber — “It’s the wrong question to ask. Why? “The Trump administration did not propose the tariffs as a “policy.” It was an opening position for a negotiation. 
• Chris Guimond, Modern Mill — “With lumber prices expected to rise, the solution is not cutting down more U.S. forests, it is supporting American businesses. 
• Eric Ortiz, Freres Engineered Wood — Canadian veneer and panel imports massacre the Pacific Northwest producer. The tariffs would do us some good.”
• Jim Inglis, Inglis Retailing — “So much for campaign promises to lower inflation.“
• Jonathan Paine, NLMBDA — “The US already has an affordable housing crisis and we as a nation must be focused on advocating for measures that reduce construction costs.
• Steve Swanson, Swanson Group — “Canadian lumber producers are forcing idling and closures of U.S. lumber mills.