Sheet Metal
Sourcing Guide & Market Intelligence

Tariffs to negatively impact building and construction components and supplies sector

• The Trump Administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which impose higher tariffs on all products imported from most foreign nations, are set to take effect on August 7, after the rates were finalized on August 1. As a result, most construction material import sources face higher tariffs, including Mexico (25.0%), Canada (35.0%), Turkiye (15.0%), and China (54.0%).
• According to Realtor.com, about 70.0% of the softwood lumber and drywall gypsum (used for drywall) used in residential construction is imported from Canada and Mexico, respectively. According to the New York Times, drywall prices could rise by 22.0%. Other products like wood utility poles, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, plywood, wood veneers, and wood pulp will also see higher prices as a result.
• The Yale Budget Lab estimates that construction inputs like cement could see a 3.5% increase in price with higher tariffs on imports. Turkiye, Canada, and Mexico, which account for over 65.0% of US imports, face tariff rates of 10.0%, 25.0%, and 25.0%, respectively.
• Specific steel and aluminum tariffs of 50.0% on all US imports are also negatively affecting buyers of building and construction components and supplies like sheet metal, automatic sliding doors, garage doors, ladders, posts and bollards, and more. In 2024, 23.0% of all steel used in the United States was imported from foreign countries such as Canada and Mexico.
• US manufacturers reliant on imported plastic resins from countries like China will not be impacted by tariffs as key resins, like polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET, will be exempt from the reciprocal tariffs. Other construction components and supplies that are compliant with the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement will be exempt from tariffs.

United States announces new tariffs on all imported steel

• In February 2025, the United States announced 25.0% tariffs on all imported steel with no exemptions or exceptions. The tariffs took effect on March 12, 2025. On June 4th, these tariffs were increased further to 50%. These tariffs were not impacted by a recent court decision that temporarily suspended duties on certain goods as they were implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
• Previously, countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, the top exporters of steel to the United States, had exemptions from tariffs. These have now been removed and all imported steel, regardless of origin, will be subject to the 50.0% tariff. However, on May 8th, the US announced an agreement with the United Kingdom to remove all levies on steel exported from the UK.
• When tariffs on steel imports were introduced in March 2018, they contributed to an increase in the price of steel and steel products. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of steel-milled products increased by 10.2% in the year after the tariffs were implemented. This market heavily relies on steel as an input and may be impacted by this policy.

United States announces new tariffs on all imported aluminum

• In February 2025, the United States announced 25.0% tariffs on all imported aluminum with no exemptions or exceptions. The tariffs took effect on March 12, 2025. On June 4th, these tariffs were increased further to 50%. These tariffs were not impacted by a recent court decision that temporarily suspended duties on certain goods as they were implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
• Previously, countries such as Canada and Mexico, two of the top exporters of aluminum to the United States, had exemptions from tariffs and the rate was only 10.0%. These have now been removed and all imported aluminum, regardless of origin, will be subject to the 50.0% tariff.
• When tariffs on imported aluminum were implemented in March 2018, aluminum prices rose modestly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), prices rose 1.2% in the year after the tariffs were introduced. Because this market relies on aluminum as an input, it may be impacted by this policy.