Over the weekend of February 1st, the Trump Administration announced 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico as well as 10% tariff on imports from China, scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.  As of February 3rd, the Administration will pause the tariffs on Mexico for one month. This is a developing situation.

The tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which the President announced during his campaign and reiterated in the past weeks, are driven less by trade concerns and more in concert with the President’s efforts to secure the border against illegal immigration and illicit import of fentanyl and other drugs. This is explicitly clear in the White House’s communication and response to Canada’s imposition of 25% tariff. The White House’s FAQ page states:

How can these tariffs be lifted?

If, in the eyes of the Trump Administration, sufficient action is taken to alleviate the crises identified in the orders, the tariffs shall be removed.

Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China have the potential to cause significant disruption to the ready mixed concrete industry. Last week, NRMCA led a coalition of construction materials groups in sending a letter to the Executive Office of the President urging caution and judicious application of tariffs. The letter notes limitations on the national and regional supply of cement and aggregate and warns of increasing costs for residential, commercial and public works construction.

NRMCA was joined in the letter by the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, National Asphalt Pavement Association and the Portland Cement Association. You can read the letter here. NRMCA issued a statement this morning on the tariffs, pasted below.

NRMCA is in contact with the National Economic Council within the Executive Office of the President as well as Speaker Johnson’s office and other Congressional offices on this issue and will continue to work collaboratively with both the Administration and Congress on a resolution.

If you have not completed NRMCA’s Tariff and Trade Survey, please do so here. This provides us information and data points to use in our discussions with the Trump Administration and Congress.

NRMCA Statement on Tariffs

“On February 1, the Trump Administration announced its intent to implement 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% tariff on imports from China. As a domestic industry comprised primarily of small and family-owned businesses, we appreciate the administration’s commitment to strengthening American industry and economic competitiveness. Recognizing that national and regional production of cement and aggregates limits domestic supply, we are concerned about the potential impact these tariffs could have on the ready mixed concrete industry.

“NRMCA’s Government Affairs team, alongside our partners in the aggregates, asphalt and cement industries, is actively engaging with the administration and policymakers to ensure they understand how these tariffs could affect residential, commercial, and public works construction. We remain committed to working collaboratively with the Trump Administration and Congress to find a solution that supports both our industry and broader economic growth. We are hopeful for a swift and constructive resolution that ensures continued investment in American infrastructure and development.”

Report compiled by Andrew Tyrrell, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for NRMCA