Let’s start with softwood lumber. Although the U.S. produces a significant amount domestically, it still relies on Canada for approximately 85% of its lumber imports, which collectively make up around 30% of total U.S. demand. Recently, a new 35% tariff was imposed on Canadian goods not covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, Canadian softwood lumber is USMCA-compliant and not subject to the new 35% general tariff. Instead, it continues to face longstanding anti-dumping and countervailing duties, which already affect pricing.

Steel and aluminum are similarly critical. The U.S. imports about 25% of its steel and 50% of its aluminum, with Canada supplying nearly 79% of imported aluminum. While the new 35% tariff does not apply to USMCA-covered aluminum products, Canadian aluminum remains subject to a separate 50% tariff imposed earlier on steel and aluminum imports from multiple countries, according to Yale's Budget Lab. This trade structure makes aluminum pricing highly sensitive to diplomatic shifts and trade retaliation cycles. These policies affect pricing for key systems, including structural framing, curtain walls, and facade assemblies.

China remains a leading supplier of construction-related finishes and hardware. It accounts for approximately 27% of U.S. imports in categories such as fixtures, flooring, and hardware. Tariffs of 30% on Chinese goods apply broadly to these and related components. According to Graystone Investment Group, even when products are assembled in third countries, Chinese-sourced components can still drive up prices due to embedded tariff costs. This indirect exposure complicates procurement planning and forces many teams to consider domestic alternatives, often at higher prices or longer lead times.

A new development came on July 30, 2025, when President Trump signed an executive order imposing a universal 50% tariff on all copper imports. Copper is the third most consumed industrial metal in the U.S., used extensively in wiring, plumbing, HVAC, and renewable energy systems. The U.S. imports nearly half of the copper it uses, largely from Chile. Following the announcement, copper prices plunged by as much as 18% in after-hours trading, underscoring how quickly policy decisions can translate into market volatility and material cost uncertainty.

At the country level, the impacts vary. Canada’s lumber exports remain largely protected under USMCA, though other Canadian goods face the 35% tariff. Canadian aluminum, while USMCA-covered, is still subject to the 50% tariff previously imposed on that category. Mexico, which supplies substantial volumes of steel and aluminum, continues to face a 25% tariff under a time-limited extension. Brazil, with a 50% tariff—the highest among major trade partners—plays a critical role in U.S. steel imports. And China’s 30% tariff continues to affect a wide range of construction-adjacent products. With copper now added to the tariff list, the pressure on core utilities and infrastructure inputs has only increased.

Even though imports only make up a fraction of total construction materials, they often cover the stuff we can’t build without: lumber, steel, aluminum, and finishes. That means tariff changes—especially from countries we rely on—can quietly shift the math on your project before you even break ground. For builders, developers, and precon teams, understanding where your materials come from and baking that risk into early estimates isn’t optional anymore. It’s the new baseline for building efficiently and staying ahead!