Construction Officials Call for End to Damaging Tariffs, Quotas on Materials + Services

Extreme price increases continued in July for a wide range of goods and services used in construction, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials urged President Biden to immediately end tariffs and quotas on steel, aluminum, lumber and other essential construction items to help stave off inflationary pressure in the construction industry. “July was the sixth-straight month of double-digit price increases for construction inputs,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In addition, lead times to produce or deliver many items keep lengthening. Many reports since the government collected this price … Read more

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Association Officials Call for Tariff Removal on Key Materials to Provide Immediate Relief for Hard-Hit Contractors

Price increases—some to record-setting levels—and long delivery delays are causing hardships for construction firms that are also experiencing challenges in completing projects with crews limited by illness or new work site procedures resulting from the pandemic, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials urged the Biden administration to review and rescind a range of trade tariffs in place, including for Canadian lumber, that are contributing to the price increases.   “The extreme price increases, as reflected in today’s producer price index report and other sources, are harming contractors on existing projects … Read more

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New Steel, Aluminum Tariffs Cause Concern within Construction Industry

The CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, released the following statement in reaction to President Trump’s announcement that he will impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products: “These new tariffs will cause significant harm to the nation’s construction industry, put tens of thousands of high-paying construction jobs at risk, undermine the President’s proposed infrastructure initiative and potentially dampen demand for new construction projects for years to come. That is because the newly imposed tariffs will lead to increases in what construction firms are forced to pay for the many steel and aluminum products that … Read more

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