Tariffs update: How to stay informed

By Dani Sheehan. 

Tariffs are shifting fast. Here’s how to find trustworthy updates to better protect your business. 

Tariffs are once again a hot topic in Washington D.C., and every industry is feeling the ripple effects. At the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) mid-year meeting in July 2025, tariffs were front and center: rules are shifting quickly, new rates are taking effect and the climate is one of constant change. 

Recently, on August 7, new tariffs went into effect on imports from dozens of countries around the world. The changes raised average tariff rates significantly, with some nations facing much higher percentages than before. The biggest challenge for contractors isn’t memorizing percentages or studying trade law. It’s staying informed enough to anticipate how tariffs might affect your material costs, project planning and customer conversations. 

Where to find reliable information 

The tariff conversation is complicated, but you don’t need to track every government filing. Instead, lean on industry resources like: 

• NRCA’s “This Week in D.C.”: A weekly update that breaks down what’s happening in Washington and how it impacts roofing. 
• This Coffee Conversations® episode: Examine how international policy, tariffs and other developments in Washington D.C. are shaping the future of roofing. 
• This Roofing Road Trips® episode: Hear from industry expert Melanie A. Butler, director of trade and transportation compliance at Sherwin-Williams as she continues the conversation on steel and aluminum tariffs and what they mean for contractors. 
• NRCA Power Hours: Webinars led by industry experts that explain complex issues in plain language. 
• Continuous article updates on information pertinent to the industry.  

For broader tracking, trade publications and tools like the Global Business Alliance (GBA) Tariff Tracker offer quick snapshots of current rules without requiring hours of research. If you prefer to follow the developments more closely, the White House Actions page provides detailed, real-time updates. 

Stay proactive in an uncertain climate 

The reality is that tariffs will likely continue to shift. Instead of trying to predict the next move, you can: 

• Continue to build flexibility in bids by accounting for possible material cost swings. 
• Stay connected with suppliers to understand how tariffs may affect pricing and delivery. 
• Communicate with customers so they know that external factors may influence costs. 

While tariffs remain a popular subject in Washington, you don’t need to become a trade policy expert. Stay connected with trusted industry resources, understand how government policies could impact your business and stay nimble in the face of change.