Podcast: What Tariffs Mean for Home Building and How NAHB is Addressing Them

Note: Episode was filmed on March 6.

On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez delve into the advocacy updates from this past week, including Chairman Buddy Hughes’ testimony before Congress, President Trump’s joint address to Congress, the impending deadline for the continuing resolution, and tariff activity.

“This is what we talked about — that political moment turning into a policy moment,” Tobin stated. “This is our chance to talk about that supply side that’s so critical to lowering the cost of housing in the country.”

The situation surrounding tariffs remains fluid, with a flurry of activity in Washington this week. This includes a March 5 meeting between Hughes and senior staff for U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss how tariffs on building materials will drive up the cost to construct homes and harm housing affordability.

“The president’s going to stay on this tariff jag for a while,” Tobin noted. “I think we’re going to be seeing ‘they’re on, they’re off, they’re on, they’re off’.”

He added: “Now’s the time where President Trump can cut a deal with Canada on lumber, give us some certainty in the marketplace, help us accelerate into what we think is going to be a real good five years of building with our biggest building material. I think there’s a message there.”

Tobin and Lopez also tout the success of last week’s 2025 International Builders’ Show (IBS), which featured an address from HUD Secretary Scott Turner, and how the team is gearing up for another great event at the 2026 IBS, taking place Feb. 17-19 in Orlando.

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