LIFT TARIFFS. STEPHEN SO ERIN ALL WEEK. SPEAKING OF THOSE TARIFFS, WE’RE HELPING YOU GET THE FACTS ON THEM. TODAY WE TALK ABOUT FOOD AND BUILDING MATERIALS. THAT’S ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AS WE PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON. SO RIGHT NOW MOST OF YOUR TYPICAL ITEMS ARE EXEMPT FROM THOSE MAJOR TARIFFS. U.S. NEWS REAL ESTATE SAYS MOST OF OUR LUMBER, THOUGH, COMES FROM CANADA, WHICH IS STILL UNDER THAT 25% TARIFF. THEY SAY STEEL AND ALUMINUM FOR, SAY, YOUR SHUTTERS, WHICH ARE NOT INCLUDED IN EXEMPTIONS, COMES FROM CHINA TO EASE CUSTOMER COSTS. EXPERTS SAY. ASK COMPANIES WHERE THEY’RE GETTING THE MATERIALS FROM. YOU COULD FIND CHEAPER PRICES IF THEY SOURCED IT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. WE SPOKE WITH JESSICA ROY, A FINANCIAL COLUMNIST WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. SHE’S DONE EXTENSIVE REPORTING AND RESEARCH ON THIS TOPIC. AND SHE SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO GROCERIES, TARIFFS ARE NOT THE ONLY THING THAT COULD MAKE PRICES GO UP. THE OTHER COMPONENT OF IT IS THE IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWNS. A LOT OF THE FOOD THAT’S GROWN IN AMERICA IS HARVESTED BY IMMIGRANTS. SO A TRADE DEAL CALLED THE US, MEXICO, CANADA AGREEMENT KEEPS PRICES OF PRODUCE THAT ARE IMPORTED DOWN WHERE YOU COULD SEE AN UPTICK IN COST IS FOR IMPORTED SPICES. TOMORROW WE TALK ABOUT ONLINE SHOPPING AND RETAIL. WE’LL TALK ABOUT THE ADVICE YOU’LL WANT TO HEAR WHEN IT COMES
Get The Facts: Tariffs affect building materials and groceries ahead of hurricane season
Updated: 5:10 PM EDT May 7, 2025
As hurricane season approaches, tariffs on building materials and groceries are affecting prices, with experts advising consumers to inquire about the origin of materials for potential savings. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Most typical items are exempt from major tariffs, but according to U.S. News Real Estate, lumber from Canada remains under a 25% tariff. Steel and aluminum, often used for shutters, are sourced from China and are not included in exemptions. Experts suggest that consumers ask companies where their materials are sourced from, as cheaper prices may be available if they are sourced from other countries.Jessica Roy, a financial columnist with the San Francisco Chronicle, has conducted extensive reporting and research on this topic. She said, “The other component of it is the immigration crackdowns. A lot of the food that’s grown in America is harvested by immigrants.”A trade deal called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement helps keep produce prices down, but there may be an increase in costs for imported spices. Tomorrow morning, discussions will focus on online shopping and retail, offering advice on how stores are changing tactics. Top Headlines:’This guy is an absolute animal’: Vero Beach man accused of teenage murder-for-hire plot arrestedGet the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
As hurricane season approaches, tariffs on building materials and groceries are affecting prices, with experts advising consumers to inquire about the origin of materials for potential savings.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Most typical items are exempt from major tariffs, but according to U.S. News Real Estate, lumber from Canada remains under a 25% tariff. Steel and aluminum, often used for shutters, are sourced from China and are not included in exemptions. Experts suggest that consumers ask companies where their materials are sourced from, as cheaper prices may be available if they are sourced from other countries.
Jessica Roy, a financial columnist with the San Francisco Chronicle, has conducted extensive reporting and research on this topic. She said, “The other component of it is the immigration crackdowns. A lot of the food that’s grown in America is harvested by immigrants.”
A trade deal called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement helps keep produce prices down, but there may be an increase in costs for imported spices. Tomorrow morning, discussions will focus on online shopping and retail, offering advice on how stores are changing tactics.
Top Headlines:
‘This guy is an absolute animal’: Vero Beach man accused of teenage murder-for-hire plot arrested
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
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