NAHB Urges Building Material Exemption from Planned Tariffs Against Canada and Mexico
With President Trump announcing that he plans to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods coming into the United States, NAHB is urging the president to exempt building materials from the proposed tariffs because of their harmful effect on housing affordability.
Tariffs on lumber and other building materials increase the cost of construction and discourage new development, and consumers end up paying for the tariffs in the form of higher home prices.
In a letter to the president, NAHB noted that on his first day in office Trump issued an executive order that seeks to increase housing supply and affordability.
“Bringing down the cost of housing will require a coordinated effort to remove obstacles to construction, be they regulatory, labor or supply-chain related,” NAHB’s letter said. “NAHB stands ready to work with you to accomplish these goals. However, we have serious concerns that proposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will have the opposite effect, by slowing down the domestic residential construction industry.”
Latest from NAHBNow
Advocacy
Apr 03, 2026
NAHB’s Monthly Update Features a Codes Victory and Economic SnapshotThe talking points this month feature news related to federal energy code mandates and the current economic conditions for the housing industry.
Safety
Apr 02, 2026
Call Before You Dig: 6 Key Steps to Prevent Utility Strikes on the JobsiteApril’s National Safe Digging Month is a timely reminder for builders, contractors and trade partners to prioritize one of the most critical and often overlooked jobsite safety practices: preventing utility strikes.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Apr 03, 2026
Job Growth Rebounds in MarchThe U.S. labor market showed signs of a modest rebound in March following a weak February, as payroll employment increased and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3%. Job growth was led by healthcare, construction, and transportation and warehousing.
Economics
Apr 02, 2026
Iran Conflict Reverses Decline in Mortgage RatesMortgage rates, which dipped below 6% in February, climbed back up to end the month just under 6.4%. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.18% in March, 13 points (bps) higher than February. The average 15-year rate also increased by the same amount to 5.56%. Despite the recent increase, both rates remain lower than a year ago by 47 bps and 27 bps, respectively.
Economics
Apr 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Climbs Despite Oil Price SurgeConsumer confidence in March rose to a three-month high as consumers’ improved view of current business and labor market conditions outweighed weaker future expectations.