On June 3, the Trump administration took its tariff policy to a new high, doubling its rate on imported steel, aluminum and related products from 25% to 50%. While aimed at bolstering domestic producers, the move has rippled through the construction world, cranking up costs and testing the resilience of small businesses.
For 24-year-old Ahmed Gray, who works at a building materials store in New York, the policy shift has been nothing short of a wake-up call. 'We've seen a significant jump in our supply costs,' Gray says. 'Fewer customers can absorb the higher prices, and our revenue has dropped sharply. It feels like we are in survival mode.'
Recent public opinion polls suggest many Americans share Gray's frustration. Critics say the volatile tariff landscape is backfiring, acting like a boomerang that stings U.S. workers, homeowners and retailers alike.
Gray hopes policymakers will pause and weigh the real-world impact on ordinary workers and their families. 'We support fair trade,' he adds, 'but the uncertainty and steep price hikes are making it hard to plan ahead.'
As global citizens tracking the latest in economics and policy, understanding these ground-level stories can shed light on how big decisions resonate in local communities—one building block at a time.
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U.S. building material professional says industry in 'survival mode'
cgtn.com
