In today’s construction US news, read that on Tuesday, President Trump issued an executive order instructing his commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, to start looking into whether copper imports and manufacturing abroad endanger American national security and the economy. On the other hand, renting the American dream for the time being can be the greatest option for homebuyers who are still undecided about purchasing. The build-to-rent, or BTR, industry gives renters options and peace of mind as home prices continue to rise, down payment amounts remain deterrent, and high mortgage rates prohibit many people from buying.
President Trump Announces Inquiry That Could Lead to Copper Tariffs
Original Source: Trump Announces Inquiry That Could Lead to Tariffs on Copper
Tariffs could increase U.S. output of a lucrative resource but raise automobile, construction, and other expenses.
President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday ordering his commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, to investigate whether foreign copper production and imports threaten America’s economic and national security.
Copper, used in manufacturing and construction and vital to the U.S. military and developing technologies like artificial intelligence, might be subject to increased tariffs if the study is completed, according to White House officials.
White House officials spoke with reporters Tuesday but did not reveal when the probe will end or what rate tariffs may be levied. They did not want to prejudge the outcome.
Peter Navarro, a senior trade and manufacturing counselor, said Mr. Lutnick would move “in Trump time, which is as quickly as possible, and get the results of his investigation to the president’s desk for possible action.”
The White House argues the American copper industry is failing to compete due to unfair trade practices by foreign countries. Tariffs would help. Ships, planes, and tanks require copper.
The Trump administration portrayed it on Tuesday as a national defense concern as well as an economic one, arguing that geopolitical turbulence might cut off supplies of metals for the military, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence.
If needed, tariffs can rebuild our American copper sector and boost our national military, Mr. Lutnick added. American industry need copper, so it should be made in America without exclusions.
He said, “It’s time for copper to come home.
Copper tariffs, like those on steel and aluminum that President Trump plans to reintroduce next month, would raise costs for other businesses that use the metal and may face opposition. This includes automakers, electronics, telecommunications, and construction industries that use copper for plumbing, roof building, and other purposes.
Tariffs may potentially spark new disputes with US metal suppliers. Chile is America’s leading copper supplier, sending $4.63 billion annually, followed by Canada, Peru, Mexico, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Copper production in the US is declining. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, copper mining dropped 20% in a decade to 1.1 million metric tons in 2024.
China is a significant copper producer but supplies little to the US due to taxes. But White House officials claim Chinese copper production has nevertheless lowered world prices and that China is buying up copper resources.
Mr. Navarro told reporters Tuesday that China had “long used industrial overcapacity and dumping as an economic weapon to dominate global markets” and harm competitors.
He stated, “It is now using that same model to gain control of the world’s copper markets.”
Citigroup analysts noted earlier this month that copper prices have risen this year ahead of projected tariffs and manufacturing recovery. Analysts estimated that the US imported 45% of its $17 billion copper consumption in 2024.
When asked why the president chose copper, a Trump administration official said he can predict what others overlook far in the future. The person cited a 1988 discussion with Oprah Winfrey about trade with Japan as evidence that Mr. Trump would retaliate against “cheating” foreign countries.
Mr. Trump has threatened tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars, and pharmaceuticals. He came within hours of putting tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods earlier this month, alleging they were not doing enough to fight drug and migrant trafficking. He delayed those tariffs for a month but announced they will take effect March 4 this week.
Mr. Trump also put a 10% duty on all Chinese items, which prompted Chinese penalties on American exports. He also wants to drastically change U.S. tariff rates on other countries to match those of other countries and capture unfair trade practices.
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act empowers the president to impose tariffs on foreign items for national security, which will be used for the copper probe. The commerce secretary has 270 days to report probe findings to the president by law.
A White House official said the probe would include raw mined copper, processed copper, alloys, scrap, and copper derivatives.
With Texas, Arizona, and Florida Leading the Way, 110,000+ Single-family Rentals Are Under Development
Original Source: Build-to-rent boom: 110,000+ single-family rentals under construction across U.S., with Texas, Arizona, and Florida in the lead
For homebuyers who are still on the fence about buying, renting the American dream for the time being could be the next best thing. As home prices continue to grow, down payment amounts remain discouraging and high mortgage rates keep many on the sidelines, the build-to-rent, or BTR, industry provides renters not just options, but peace of mind. The freedom of renting, along with extra conveniences such as community amenities and subsidized upkeep, make single-family homes in build-to-rent communities all the more popular. As a result, the build-to-rent sector is growing rapidly, with occupancy rates maintaining steady at 95% and construction activity increasing throughout major metros and states. This is fantastic news for tenants searching for more spacious houses and facilities that are more appropriate for family life and remote work. As the suburb regained some of its former popularity during and after the pandemic, build-to-rent communities started taking hold, giving renters with roomy homes, beautiful backyards, and up-to-date facilities that cities just can’t deliver.
According to the most recent Point2Homes build-to-rent report, more than 110,000 single-family rental homes in 613 BTR communities are now under development nationally. Whether these developments started ground recently or a few years ago, several will soon be ready to hit the market, growing existing inventory by a healthy 53.5% when completed.
15 Metros Have 1,500+ Build-to-Rent Homes Underway Phoenix leads the assault with the most ambitious numbers, and Dallas and Atlanta complete the podium.
While Texas leads the nation in total construction, Phoenix dominates at the metro level. Arizona’s capital remains a hotbed for build-to-rent expansion because to its robust job market, presence of Fortune 500 corporations, and a growing focus on sustainability. These are the major elements that attract new residents, increasing rental demand and keeping developers busy.
With a total of 13,113 single-family rentals in the pipeline, Phoenix tops every other metro and even most states, save for Texas, Arizona itself, and Florida. Within the metro, the city proper is responsible for roughly 3,000 of the 13,000+ units underway, with Buckeye, Surprise, Goodyear, and Queen Creek each adding between 1,000 and nearly 2,000 new rental dwellings. Tucson has 659 apartments under development and Flagstaff is adding 200, but they are far behind neighboring regions. Second-most active metro Dallas has 8,470 single-family rentals under development. Texas leads BTR building, therefore more of its markets made the top 10 metros for single-family rental communities under development. Houston is adding 4,613 units, Austin 4,313, and San Antonio approximately 3,000. The state’s fiscal incentives, economic diversification, and inexpensive housing market boost rental home construction. Five metros are among the top 10 BTR builders after Phoenix and Dallas. Third-place Atlanta developers are building 6,885 single-family rentals in 43 new communities. The city’s population growth and robust business climate boost rental demand, making it ideal for BTR expansion.
Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; Raleigh, NC; and Huntsville, AL each added 2,000 to 5,368 units, making up the Southeast’s top 10. Business-friendly policies, strong employment markets, and demand for roomy rental properties favor these metro areas. The top 10 markets have a large number of single-family rentals in the pipeline, while 14 more metros are considering more than 1,000 rental homes in various phases of development. This implies these tenants will soon have a better chance of locating the suitable rental. The epidemic shifted rental demand from small flats in pricey cities to larger residences in cheaper secondary markets. Rising single-family home prices and remote work opportunities boosted single-family rental interest, boosting the sector.
How the Pandemic Changed Single-Family Home Rental Demand The epidemic shifted rental demand from small flats in pricey cities to larger residences in cheaper secondary markets. Rising single-family home prices and remote work opportunities boosted single-family rental interest, boosting the sector.
The Five States With the Most Units Under Construction Will Have More Than 50% More BTR Supply After Delivery. In the seven states that are actually developing BTRs, supply will rise 125% to 255%.
Texas leads the state by a wide margin, just like Phoenix leads the metro area. Texas has the most single-family rentals under construction at 21,812. North Carolina and Georgia round out the top five with about 14,000 units each. Arizona and Florida follow. Developers in these states are increasing the BTR market by building new communities with modern amenities to improve renters’ lives. Due to job prospects and economic expansion, coastal states and urban hubs have the largest rental demand. As suburbs and metros have cheaper property and more flexible zoning, developers are building vast, affordable rental communities there instead than in dense city cores. North Carolina is the strongest of the top five states, predicting a 152% rental inventory growth after renovations are finished. Nearly 22,000 new single-family rentals in Texas will increase inventory by 70%.
When single-family rentals under development reach renters, several other states will see significant percentage growth. Even though their unit counts are lower, likely because house rentals are a newer housing alternative, these states joining the BTR bandwagon illustrates the housing sector’s expanding strength. Rhode Island, Delaware, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Virginia predict rental supply increases of 100%, with Nebraska leading at 255%.
In 2024, 36% of BTR residents choose to rent, up from 27% in 2023. High mortgage rates are BTR inhabitants’ main obstacle to buying a home, thus BTR homes are cheap in today’s pricey housing market. On average, BTR rentals are cheaper than starter homes. Recent reports show that renting saves $1,000 per month over buying. High mortgage rates and housing prices are to blame.” The expanding BTR supply offers intriguing possibilities for tenants achieving new life milestones and wishing to increase their living spaces and facilities without purchase. More U.S. renters will have access to high-quality, single-family rental houses that match their requirements and budgets as more communities are built.
Summary of today’s construction news
To sum it up, the Chinese responded with retaliatory tariffs on American exports after Mr. Trump imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on all Chinese goods. He has also proposed a plan to drastically alter U.S. tariff rates on other nations, adjusting them to match the tariff levels that other nations impose on the United States and enforcing trade practices that he believes are unfair.
On the other hand, the expanding BTR supply offers encouraging possibilities for renters who are hitting new life milestones and want to improve their living areas and amenities without having to commit to homeownership. Additional renters in the United States will have access to premium single-family rental houses that meet their demands and budgets when additional neighbourhoods are finished.
