Exclusive: Dozens of congressional Democrats urge president to reconsider threatened import duties on US’s two largest trading partners

In a letter to Trump seen by the Guardian, Democrats noted that the US imports key construction materials worth billions of dollars – from lumber to cement products – from Canada and Mexico each year.

“Given the severe housing shortage, compounded by rising construction costs, persistent supply chain disruptions, and an estimated shortfall of 6m homes, these looming tariffs, while intended to protect domestic industries, risk further exacerbating the housing supply and affordability crisis while stifling the development of new housing,” they wrote.

In a statement, the White House claimed Trump would use tariffs to “usher in a new era of growth and prosperity” for the US.

    • Cort@lemmy.world
      2·
      11 hours ago

      I have a good one for you!

      It’s more about how zoning can affect material choice which then affects material cost.

      Some zoning laws require the use of bricks for X% (15%-100%) of the front of the building. Because bricks are more expensive than the vinyl siding used on the rest of the house, the total materials cost for exterior cladding is increased. The total materials cost could have been lower if the zoning allowed for vinyl siding on 100% of the exterior.

      !BuT BriCKs lOoK nICeR!<

        • Cort@lemmy.world
          1·
          10 hours ago

          100%.

          Coincidentally 100% is also how much the labor rate will increase if your HOA requires stone instead of bricks. (Masons are expensive)

    • DrunkEngineer@lemmy.world
      2·
      17 hours ago

      Zoning impacts the cost of housing. In my city, an average house costs millions of dollars – because the zoning does not allow apartments to be built.