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Trump adds 50% tariffs on Canadian construction materials

Construction materials prices are 7.4% higher than a year ago, and the new levies target inputs like cement and plywood that can raise delivered project costs.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Residential

President Donald Trump has imposed a new wave of 50% tariffs on Canada, effective Saturday, after nearly a month of trade negotiations did not produce an agreement.

The tariffs include duties on construction inputs such as cement, plywood, and certain machinery and tools. The move also builds on prior measures, including up to 50% tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel and increased lumber tariffs from earlier actions.

A construction trade group said overall construction materials prices are 7.4% higher than a year ago, with copper wire and cable up 17.9% year over year, iron and steel up 17.6%, and softwood lumber up 15%, according to Bisnow citing Associated Builders and Contractors.

Bisnow also reports that the added tariffs could dampen construction starts by increasing the cost of delivering construction services, with ABC chief economist Anirban Basu saying the broader U.S.-Canada trade war is largely negative for contractors on both sides of the border. The outlet noted that construction activity is being supported by data centers, where contractors reported different backlog levels depending on whether work is data-center focused.

Latest closeCopper $6.606 ▲0.2%

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