By Andrew Khouri, Carly Olson, Andrew Mendez From Los Angeles Times The cost of a common commodity has scrambled summer plans, and it’s not gas: Soaring lumber prices are making new homes, renovations and even simple picnic tables drastically more expensive. At times, bills are coming in thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars…

WASHINGTON—As U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai prepares to meet her Canadian and Mexican counterparts on Monday to review progress in the new North American trade agreement, she is under pressure from home builders and lawmakers to cut U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber. Shortages of softwood lumber amid soaring U.S. housing demand and mill production curtailed…