The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) renewed its call to exempt building materials from his renewed tariff targeting after the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to reject President Trump’s expanded use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for enacting tariffs.
In announcing the court’s decision, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs. We claim only, as we must, the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution. Fulfilling that role, we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs.”
In a press conference following the court’s decision, Trump criticized the court’s majority vowed to push ahead with his tariff policies, stating “other alternatives will now be used to replace” the now-rejected IEEPA tariffs.
Trump announced plans for a global 10% tariff, which he has authority to impose immediately. This tariff can only stay in place for a maximum of 150 days unless Congress approves an extension. Nonetheless, Trump declared, “We have a right to do pretty much what we want to do.”
Bill Owens, NAHB chairman and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio, called on the president to consider the impact of tariffs on the housing market.
“While the Supreme Court’s ruling reins in presidential authority to impose tariffs under IEEPA, President Trump still has wide latitude in setting tariff policy,” said Owens in a statement. “With the nation facing a housing affordability crisis, NAHB urges the president to exempt building materials as part of his tariff strategy because they raise construction costs, impede supply chains and result in market and business uncertainty that make it difficult for builders to price their homes. NAHB will continue to work with the administration and Congress to remove regulatory obstacles that hinder the construction of new homes and apartments.”
Photo courtesy of the White House
