How tariffs on building materials could impact MA construction costs NBC Boston [Video]

As Massachusetts continues grappling with a severe housing shortage, industry experts are split on whether the Trump administration’s tariffs on key building materials could exacerbate the problem.

Canada supplies approximately 30% of the lumber used in the U.S., making it a crucial player in the American housing market.

President Donald Trump recently announced 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber imports. Canada is a major supplier of all three materials, and the move has sparked concern among home builders and remodelers in Massachusetts.

“We’re fighting, trying to find ways to make housing affordable, and this is going to go the wrong way,” said David O’Sullivan, president of the Massachusetts Home Builders & Remodelers Association.

O’Sullivan fears the tariffs will drive up construction costs, ultimately impacting home buyers.

“Even steel and aluminum are going to affect them greatly, because steel goes into most multifamily housing,” O’Sullivan added.

Chris Moynihan, owner of Moynihan Lumber in Beverly, notes that while his business hasn’t yet seen …