The National Association of Home Builders is lobbying the Trump administration for tariff exemptions on building materials.
With the uncertainties surrounding the tariff situation in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling negating many duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the NAHB wants more permanent exemptions for building materials.
Bill Owens, NAHB chairman, in making the request, said, “While the Supreme Court’s ruling reins in presidential authority to impose tariffs under IEEPA, President Trump still has wide latitude in setting tariff policy. (But) with the nation facing a housing-affordability crisis, NAHB urges the president to exempt building materials as part of his tariff strategy because tariffs raise construction costs, impede supply chains and result in market and business uncertainty that make it difficult for builders to price their homes.”
The Trump administration has not directly responded to the builder’s request and is considering new tariff measures that might replace those that the Court overruled.
The Washington, DC-based NAHB, which represents 140,000 builders, remodelers and other industry associates, “will continue to work with the administration and Congress to remove regulatory obstacles that hinder the construction of new homes and apartments,” Owens said.
