News // How N.S. construction industry will feel impact of Trump’s tariffs

Duncan Williams, CANS President & CEO joined Tom Murphy on CBC Nova Scotia News to discuss the impact of U.S. tariffs on Nova Scotia’s construction industry.

“We really see two edges of this sword. Number one is the impact it will have on our exporters and members that are building in the U.S. and exporting prefabricated materials. That is certainly a smaller piece but nonetheless still a very important part of our economy.

“The other part is the countermeasures from the federal level and what is actually going to be subjected to tariffs from the Canadian side, which will of course impact the price of goods and materials used in construction used in Nova Scotia and across the country.

“We would estimate that 40 to 60 per cent of materials that are used [in construction] are imported from elsewhere in the globe and a big portion of that is coming from the U.S.

“Most contractors deal with very small margins as it is, so unfortunately, most of this cost will have a direct impact on the buyer of construction, whether it’s a renter, retail outlet or infrastructure.

“From a contractor or builder point of view, [retaliatory countermeasures] are probably the most intrusive when it comes to industry responding to housing, multi-residential, commercial and industrial needs. Those prices on products coming into the country increasing by 25 per cent, you’re going to see second guessing of budgets, you’re going to see projects delayed and cancelled. There will be a very real impact and it will be pretty quick and probably long lasting.”

From CBC News: Watch the full interview here.

Learn more: Find more tariff news, resources and updates on CANS Canada-U.S. Tariff Info Centre.