Issue Description 

The United States and Canada share one of the largest and most integrated trading relationships in the world, with building materials and construction products representing an important component of cross-border commerce. Recent tariff actions, trade restrictions, and retaliatory measures have created significant uncertainty for businesses that rely on cross-border supply chains and the movement of essential construction materials. These measures have increased costs on products including lumber, steel, aluminum, wood products, and other building materials, while creating additional challenges for manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and contractors. ABMA supports a negotiated resolution between the United States and Canada that prioritizes fair and reciprocal trade, reduces unnecessary tariffs and trade barriers, and strengthens the long-standing economic partnership between the two countries. As the United States and Canada continue discussions surrounding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), policymakers should prioritize predictable trade policies, reliable access to critical building materials, and a stable regulatory environment that supports economic growth and domestic construction. 

Impact on the Building Materials Industry and ABMA Members 

The imposition of tariffs and retaliatory trade measures directly increases the cost of raw materials, finished products, and imported components used throughout the building materials supply chain. These additional costs create pricing uncertainty, disrupt established supplier relationships, complicate long-term purchasing and inventory decisions, and ultimately contribute to higher construction costs for businesses and consumers. A durable trade resolution would help restore supply-chain predictability, improve access to competitively priced materials, protect American businesses that depend on cross-border commerce, and support greater affordability in the construction and housing markets.