Adhesives
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.

Crude oil prices dip, but natural gas and fuel prices remain volatile in 2025

• Oil prices have been falling with the introduction of higher tariffs and the predicted decline in global demand. The OPEC+ group of countries also announced they would be unwinding production cuts and increasing their collective output target for May by 411,000 barrels per day.
• Trade wars, ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, and general unrest in the Middle East are causing uncertainty surrounding oil prices, which has led to volatility in prices. In the third week of May 2025, crude oil prices hit $63.67 per barrel, but volatility remains as geopolitical concerns remain.
• Natural gas prices rallied early in 2025 with colder-than-usual temperatures in the United States and high demand, topping out at $4.68/MMBtu in March. Prices have since fallen with the onset of trade wars and weakening demand projections to $3.64/MMBtu in the third week of May 2025.
• The national average of gasoline prices has been rising slightly due to refinery maintenance/outages and blending issues, hitting a national average of $3.15 per gallon in the third week of May 2025. However, gasoline futures have been volatile, falling due to fears of oversupply and deepening concerns about weakening demand with tariffs, but rising after trade deals.

Inflation climbs above 3.0% for the first time in seven months

• In January, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) 12-month inflation rate, the most commonly used measure of inflation, rose by 0.1% to 3.0%, the highest it has been since June 2024.
• This uptick in inflation follows cuts to interest rates which may have added to consumer demand, fueling higher consumer prices.
• Additionally, the threat of impending tariff hikes has driven preemptive stockpiling by importers, adding to demand and price growth across a range of industries in the United States.
• While inflation is still low relative to previous years, sustained recent increases in inflation and the potential effects of tariffs, such as the recently implemented 10.0% on all Chinese goods, mean prices are still rising at a faster-than-normal pace.