Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) led 46 members of Congress in a letter calling on President Donald Trump to reconsider the proposed 25% tariffs on imported building materials from Canada and Mexico. These tariffs could exacerbate the nation’s housing affordability crisis, drive up consumer costs, and slow down the construction of new homes.
“Given the severe housing shortage, compounded by rising construction costs, persistent supply chain disruptions, and an estimated shortfall of six million homes, these looming tariffs, while intended to protect domestic industries, risk further exacerbating the housing supply and affordability crisis while stifling the development of new housing,” wrote the members.
The letter continues, “analysis shows that these tariffs will raise the cost of imported construction materials by an estimated $3 to $4 billion.24
In addition, construction input costs have surged by over 30 percent since January 2021, a rise that gets passed on to consumers, directly contributing to higher home prices and a slowdown in new construction activity, further burdening American families.4 The situation mirrors earlier tariff measures on Canadian softwood lumber that resulted in nearly $9,000 in additional costs per single-family home.”
Members further wrote, “In light of these challenges, we call for your administration to reconsider tariffs on Mexico and Canada to ensure that the escalating costs do not further restrict the development of affordable housing for American families.”
BACKGROUND
The letter underscores the impact of these tariffs on the construction industry, which already faces rising costs and supply chain disruptions. The proposed tariffs would increase the cost of lumber, cement, and drywall, essential materials needed to build and repair homes.
The U.S. imports a large share of these materials, including:
- 70% of our sawmill wood comes from Canada, and it already has a 14.5% extra charge (anti-dumping duty).
- 71% of lime and gypsum (used in cement and drywall) comes from Mexico.
These materials are vital to the construction sector, and additional tariffs would add an estimated $3 to $4 billion in costs, driving up prices for both builders and homebuyers.
Comrade Trump’s motto: “Pain is good, hurt is good.” Like the MAGA narcissistic dictator he is he places great value in making and watching humans suffering. No price is too great to pay in his achieving this. Republican MAGA politicians and judges are kissing his fat a$$ to make sure that he gets whatever he desires…… just as long as he doesn’t turn against them. Hello Huston, we’ve got a problem here.
Elections have consequences apparently the voters didn’t believe all the bs Democrats and the corrupt media spew. The left has done everything they could to hide the corruption in the government so continue to whine while Trump dismantles the deep state.
A Democrat was in charge. They never did nothing about nothing now they won’t blame everything on Trump. California needs to fix their own problems. I’ve lived in California all my life 53 years going on 54 California is in bad shape. The Democrats is ruined our state California is like it is because of the Democrats. Let’s get rid of the Democrats Sacramento And Jim Costa.
As for the High Speed Rail. JUNK! To many rules, regulations and money laundering. Who is getting rich I might ask. As for tariffs, Canada and Mexico will come around quick as their economies will suffer more that ours. We may suffer but not long term. After Biden what can get worse. 4 years of nothing but waste.