Podcast: How NAHB is Navigating Actions on Tariffs and Immigration

Advocacy
Published
Contact: Reaganne Hansford
[email protected]
AVP, Leadership Strategy
202-266-8450

On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, NAHB CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss developments surrounding the Trump administration’s tariff and immigration policies, and NAHB’s advocacy efforts to work with the administration on solutions.

On Feb. 1, President Trump announced an across-the-board tariff of 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods — including building materials such as lumber and gypsum — coming into the United States. The proposed tariffs have since been delayed, but NAHB will continue to sound the alarm against the detrimental effects that these tariffs could have on housing affordability.

“There is not a room in a home that is not affected by these tariffs,” Tobin noted — including everything from HVAC equipment to ceiling fans and doors.

A 10% tariff has been put in place for goods from China, who has also placed a 10% tariff against U.S. goods in return, and Tobin and Lopez speculated on more back and forth on trade in general.

Concerns surrounding immigration are also top of mind for NAHB members as raids have begun to take place across the country and affect the workforce available to construct homes.

“It’s a really delicate situation right now,” Tobin shared. “And we said the same thing with tariffs — we’re getting ready to head into our busy buying, selling and building season, and these disruptions are going to cost time and money to builders and our customers.”

NAHB is prepared to have ongoing conversations with the administration on these issues to establish comprehensive reform across the board, and to provide resources to NAHB members to help them navigate these issues once there’s a clearer picture in place.

Members can also help prepare their businesses for success at the International Builders’ Show (IBS), which will take place from Feb. 25-27 in Las Vegas. Attendees should download the app to help maximize their time at the show.

NAHB members attending IBS can also take advantage of NAHB HQ in the Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Learn more about what to expect at NAHB HQ during the Builders’ Show Insider segment, featuring Denise Miller, vice president of event, product and brand marketing, and Topher McLarty, senior director of membership.

Listen to the full episode of the podcast below and subscribe to Housing Development through your favorite podcast provider or watch all the episodes on YouTube.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Trends

Oct 29, 2025

Do Consumers Want Two-Story Foyers?

Nearly a quarter of new homes were built with a two-story foyer in 2024 — a number that has been trending downward over the past eight years. Though the national decline continued, regional patterns were mixed. See where this feature is hot — and where it's not.

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) | Education

Oct 29, 2025

How to Market to and Design for the Aging-in-Place Client

NAHB will host three webinars (open to members and non-members) in November to teach the technical, business management, and customer service skills necessary to complete modifications for aging-in-place.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Oct 29, 2025

The Fed Cuts amid Partly Cloudy Conditions

With the government shutdown limiting the quantity of economic data available to markets and policymakers, the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) enacted a widely anticipated 25 basis point cut for the short-term federal funds rate.

Economics

Oct 28, 2025

Home Price Growth Slows

Home prices in August grew at the lowest annual rate in over two years, according to the recent release of the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index (seasonally adjusted – SA).

Economics

Oct 27, 2025

Two-Story Foyer Trend Stabilizes in 2024

In 2024, nearly a quarter of new homes were built with a two-story foyer, virtually unchanged from 2023, according to data obtained from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and tabulated by NAHB.