The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has expressed concern over President Trump's recent decision to impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico. Carl Harris, chairman of the NAHB and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kansas, released a statement addressing the potential negative impact of this tariff increase on housing affordability in the United States.
Harris highlighted that "on President Trump’s first day in office, he issued an executive order directing departments and agencies to deliver emergency price relief by pursuing actions to lower the cost of housing and increase housing supply." He noted that the new tariffs would likely counteract these efforts. According to Harris, more than 70% of essential materials for home builders—such as softwood lumber and gypsum used for drywall—are imported from Canada and Mexico.
The NAHB is concerned that "tariffs on lumber and other building materials increase the cost of construction and discourage new development," ultimately leading to higher home prices for consumers. The organization is urging the administration to reconsider its stance on tariffs. Harris emphasized that they will continue collaborating with policymakers to remove obstacles that raise housing costs and hinder builders from increasing housing production.
