The Trump administrations imposition of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports is expected to increase the cost of construction and create delays and higher costs of completion for many projects in the United States.In response, the AEC industry is decrying it as a major blow to economic prospects as brighter skiesbegin to appear on the horizon following an 18-month downturn. Either way, construction spending had been expected to slow through the end of 2026 according to recent AIA reports. In 2024, the U.S. imported over 26 million metric tons of steel products, including just over 9.1 million tons from Canada and Mexico combined, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (h/t Construction Dive).