The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has weighed in on the national debate over international tariffs proposed by the Trump administration.
“While the U.S. cement industry agrees with the objectives of bolstering American manufacturing, increasing border security, and advancing energy independence, it believes 25% tariffs on cement imported from Canada and Mexico could adversely affect energy and national security while delaying infrastructure projects and raising their costs,” PCA CEO Mike Ireland noted in response to a White House pause on the imposition of tariffs for imports from U.S. neighbors to the north and south.
“The availability of affordable cement and concrete is vital to meet our country’s infrastructure needs and for the oil and gas sector’s expansion. Mexico and Canada play a crucial role in stabilizing U.S. supply, so we appreciate that the administration is open to negotiations and taking a flexible approach to implementing trade policy. PCA looks forward to working with the Trump administration to achieve its manufacturing priorities and ensure potential tariffs do not result in unintended consequences,” he concluded.
PCA’s position on the proposed 25% tariffs factors these cement import and consumption metrics:
- Canada and Mexico account for 27% of U.S. cement imports and nearly 7% of U.S. cement consumption.
- The U.S. respectively imported 5 million and 2 million metric tons of cement from Canada and Mexico in 2023.
- Texas and Arizona each represents roughly 30% of Mexican imports’ port of entry followed by California and Florida (20% each), reflecting 5% of the states’ cement consumption.
- Canadian imports enter through New York (2% ), Washington (1%) and New England (11%), with the remaining 20% spread across Montana, North Dakota and other Great Lakes states. Those shipments account for upward of one-third the cement consumed in the combined states.
