The NAHB Embarrasses Itself Asking for Tariff Carve-Out

Genuine leadership in our government should unify and find cooperation within our borders and beyond. No one must be forced to lose in order for us to enjoy a win.

By definition, a bully is simply a coward who is enabled by lesser bullies. Without the support of sycophants, those would-be bullies who lack the courage to act for themselves, their “champion” would be little more than a bag of wind that no one pays attention to. 

The “Bully-in-Chief” that we have been saddled with may very well be the biggest coward of them all and most certainly does contend for the biggest windbag. Unfortunately, there also appear to be more self-serving, supporting cowards than we can accurately count.

As the saying goes, “It takes two to tango,” and there are more than enough willing dance partners just waiting for their turn to curry favors and special treatment even though they know that the big picture extends far beyond their myopic snapshot of the world.

In this country we suffer from an ever-growing rift—perhaps a fault line would better describe it—where individuals, communities, companies, industries and organizations are in endless conflicts with each other because it is easier to focus on their respective slices of the pie and how to shield and even enlarge them, than to join together to grow the whole pie instead, thereby benefitting themselves but also to serve the common good.

I offer a specific example. 

On the final day of January, the eve of economic tariffs used to threaten our closest neighbors and allies, as well as our fellow citizens of every stripe, we witnessed pathetic acts of selfish cowardice in the form of pleas to be exempted from injuries that will undoubtedly result from flawed national policies that are forced on everyone by the Oval Office. 

In a statement to its members, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) sought to soothe their concerns by reassuring them that the organization would wield its influence in the Administration to protect the interests of the industry and exempt building materials from the tariffs. 

nahb embarrasses itself

Here’s the letter Carl L. Harris 2024 Chairman of the Board National Association of Home Builders sent:  

Dear President Trump,  

Our country is facing a severe housing shortage and affordability crisis, which you recognized on your first day in office by issuing an executive order that seeks to increase housing supply and affordability. Bringing down the cost of housing will require a coordinated effort to remove obstacles to construction, be they regulatory, labor or supply-chain related. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) stands ready to work with you to accomplish these goals. However, we have serious concerns that proposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will have the opposite effect, by slowing down the domestic residential construction industry. 

An ongoing challenge facing home builders is the cost and availability of building materials. Since January 2021, inputs to residential construction saw price increases of just over 30%. Our sector relies heavily on a diverse and cost-efficient supply chain for building materials such as lumber, steel, gypsum and aluminum. While home building is inherently domestic, builders rely on components produced abroad, with Canada and Mexico representing nearly 25% of building materials imports. Imposing additional tariffs on these imports will lead to higher material costs, which will ultimately be passed on to home buyers in the form of increased housing prices. Further supply chain disruptions from increased tariffs coupled with increased demand for materials could also hinder rebuilding efforts in areas affected by natural disasters, which you have pledged to help rebuild as quickly as possible. 

NAHB’s members understand you have larger and well-intentioned policy goals in mind as you consider a holistic trade policy. However, we respectfully ask that you consider the effects of tariffs on Americans struggling to afford housing and that you exempt critical construction materials from such actions. We look forward to working with you to create jobs, boost our economy, and provide safe and affordable housing for all Americans. 

This was little more than wishful thinking on one hand, namely that the organization, which would have their members and onlookers believe that they are real “players” (big fish in the D.C. pond), who actually have the ear of the Administration and can affect decisions made at the highest levels of government, and, on the other hand, more realistically, to stroke the worriers in order to keep the dues dollars flowing.

It is embarrassing enough that the trade association begs for special dispensation on bended knee in their letter to the White House while hiding behind the skirts of the national housing crisis, but worse still, that they double down by kissing up to their hero by stating “NAHB’s members understand you have larger and well-intentioned policy goals in mind as you consider a holistic trade policy.”

Clearly, they lack concern for other sectors. Harm to agriculture, public health, transportation, the environment, our nation’s status on the world stage, families already struggling to put food on the table…these are simply not their problem. Take them, not us, they suggest. They won’t raise a single objection as long as the price of a two-by-four remains off the table.

Genuine leadership in our government would seek to unify and find cooperation within our borders and beyond. No one must be forced to lose in order for us to enjoy a win. Bullying our neighbors and our citizens may seem like the right strategy to some, but protecting our opportunities for true national prosperity will not be accomplished one industry, one special-interest group at a time.

We cannot continue to slowly circle the drain of history to where we become just another failed civilization. We desperately need authentic leadership. We have never needed it more. 

It won’t miraculously emerge from the White House, the halls of Congress, or our judicial institutions. There is no board room in all of the corporate world that will provide the knowledge and wisdom to advance our collective quality of life to a higher level of abundance.

It can only originate in the hearts and minds of America’s ordinary citizens. Courage begins with one person, one family, one community…not by executive order. It is our birthright and our responsibility to take appropriate action. Let’s get started while there is still time.