What Adjusted Steel, Aluminum and Copper Tariffs Mean for Construction
April 09, 2026
Contractors are pricing jobs without a clear read on what their materials will ultimately cost in this environment, according to industry sources.
The Trump administration’s latest adjustment to Section 232 tariffs, which were announced April 2 and took effect Monday, raise duties to as high as 50% on goods made almost entirely of steel, aluminum or copper. Derivative goods “substantially made” of steel, aluminum or copper incur a 25% levy.
Though the change aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing capability, contractors on the ground say the direct effects on construction projects will vary widely.