Tariff Changes Offer Limited Relief for Contractors Amid Rising Material Costs

Raw material

USA: Donald Trump has issued an executive proclamation revising how Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminium, and copper are calculated. However, according to Stan Kolbe of the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), the change offers limited relief for contractors already facing rising material costs, particularly for aluminium and specialty steel.

Kolbe noted that while the revised tariff structure may alter calculation methods, it fails to deliver the long-awaited clarity and cost relief that many businesses in the construction sector have been seeking, reflecting broader industry frustration.

Source: Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA)