AIA opposes steel and aluminum tariffs
The American Institute of Architects said it opposes the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs steel and aluminum imports.
In a statement issued by AIA President Carl Elefante and Executive VP and Chief Executive Robert Ivy, the AIA said, "The Administration’s announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports threatens to drastically increase the prices of many building materials specified by architects. These metal products are some of the largest material inputs in the construction of buildings. Structural metal beams, window frames, mechanical systems, and exterior cladding are largely derived from these important metals.
“As creative problem solvers, architects rely on a variety of these materials to achieve functional and performance goals for their clients. Inflating the cost of materials will limit the range of options they can use while adhering to budgetary constraints for a building.
The AIA also said funding derived from the tariffs will not compensate for rising building material costs.
“Any move that increases building costs will jeopardize domestic design and the construction industry, which is responsible for billions in U.S. Gross Domestic Product, economic growth, and job creation,” the AIA said.
Last week the National Association of Home Builders issued its own statement in opposition to the tariffs, citing a negative impact on U.S. home builders.
In a statement issued by AIA President Carl Elefante and Executive VP and Chief Executive Robert Ivy, the AIA said, "The Administration’s announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports threatens to drastically increase the prices of many building materials specified by architects. These metal products are some of the largest material inputs in the construction of buildings. Structural metal beams, window frames, mechanical systems, and exterior cladding are largely derived from these important metals.
“As creative problem solvers, architects rely on a variety of these materials to achieve functional and performance goals for their clients. Inflating the cost of materials will limit the range of options they can use while adhering to budgetary constraints for a building.
The AIA also said funding derived from the tariffs will not compensate for rising building material costs.
“Any move that increases building costs will jeopardize domestic design and the construction industry, which is responsible for billions in U.S. Gross Domestic Product, economic growth, and job creation,” the AIA said.
Last week the National Association of Home Builders issued its own statement in opposition to the tariffs, citing a negative impact on U.S. home builders.