The White House rebuked former MSNBC host Chris Matthews after he expressed confusion over how the United States would handle the loss of Canadian lumber imports due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Matthews, who appeared on Morning Joe on Wednesday, questioned how the U.S. would compensate for the lumber shortage resulting from the tariffs, asking, “Are we going to make more wood in this country because of our trade deal?”
That’s the idea https://t.co/XiWPAfWyeD pic.twitter.com/K5wtirWlpy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 9, 2025
Matthews argued that the U.S. heavily relies on Canadian lumber, which is essential to the construction industry.
He further expressed skepticism about the possibility of increasing domestic production, saying, “What are we going to do? Have more lumber made in the United States now? We’re going to create more wood? Is that it? I don’t think so.”
The former Hardball host’s comments sparked backlash on social media.
In a swift response, the White House’s Rapid Response team took to social media.
TRUMP PAUSES TARIFFS FOR 90 DAYS ON DOZENS OF COUNTRIES, RAISES RATE ON CHINA to 125%
“That’s the idea,” the Rapid Response X account responded, confirming that more wood would be produced in the United States.
The X post by the White House team also referenced an executive action from March 1, which aimed to kickstart the “immediate expansion of American timber production.”
