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WDMA Statement on New U.S. Tariff Regime

by: John Crosby
Category: WDMA News
Apr
04

The Trump Administration has announced a comprehensive trade policy overhaul, introducing a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imported goods, effective April 5, 2025, and additional "reciprocal" tariffs targeting specific countries based on their trade practices, effective April 9, 2025. These measures aim to address persistent trade deficits and promote domestic manufacturing.

John Crosby, WDMA President and CEO, expressed the industry's concerns:

“The window, door, and skylight manufacturing industry believes that balancing the near-term needs of Americans with the long-term structural challenges of our trade and economic policies makes for good governance. Upon his inauguration, President Trump expressed a commitment to advancing U.S. manufacturing and reclaiming America’s preeminent role in global trade. Yet the push to reduce inflation and make home ownership more affordable appears to be stalled.

To be clear, the tariffs set to be implemented on April 5 will inevitably drive up prices for the purchase of windows, doors, and skylights. Without some assurance that this new tariff regime will be very short-lived, this is an unavoidable fact for our industry. Component and raw material costs have already begun to climb in the buildup to the President’s announcement on April 2. This, in turn, has increased uncertainty and hesitation for WDMA members as they consider new investments in manufacturing technology and facilities, hiring new employees, and make plans for new product innovations and launches.”

These actions restrict investment, and stifle growth, while deepening the housing affordability crisis.”

WDMA stands ready to be a productive partner in addressing these problems and expanding manufacturing in the United States in a pro-growth economy. This is a goal we share with the Trump Administration. The lack of balance in our nation’s approach to growth—to facilitate short-term stability and growth while addressing structural economic problems—is concerning and will affect our members’ ability to aim for the very growth the President seeks through recovery in American manufacturing.”

Threshold Thinking: National Legislative Priorities for 2025

by: John Crosby
Category: WDMA News
Feb
21

John Crosby, President and CEO
February 17, 2025

On February 13, WDMA staff helped kick off the first-ever cross-industry advocacy coalition of construction-related associations. For 15 years, I have held on to the belief that our industry has so much opportunity to work together. Yet here we were, talking to staff from AGC, AIA, ARMA, LBA, MHA, NAA, NAHB, NLBMDA, NMHC, NSSGA and, for good measure, Habitat for Humanity. The chief topic of the conversation was how tariffs are affecting our respective members. However, coalition members could see the potential collaboration well beyond tariffs. Time will tell if this coalition snowballs into something that reflects the full depth and breadth of construction.

The intersection of housing affordability and workforce development is reaching a crisis point. As labor shortages persist and the cost of living continues to outpace wage growth, businesses and communities alike are feeling the strain. The construction industry—along with policymakers—must step up to address these challenges through both government-driven and market-driven solutions. Everyone on that call last week knew this was really the issue of the moment.

WDMA members have a role to play in this effort. The products we offer influence the affordability, energy efficiency, and livability of homes and buildings. By embracing innovation and growth, we help drive down costs while improving sustainability and performance. We are most vulnerable when we work in a vacuum; industry and policymakers have to step up.

The Policy Side: Smart Government Action

Government policies should encourage housing affordability and workforce growth by reducing financial and regulatory burdens while incentivizing innovation. For 2025, our key areas of focus include:

  • Tax Credits for Homeowners and Building Owners – Encouraging energy-efficient renovations, including high-performance windows, doors, and skylights, can make homes and buildings more affordable to operate.
  • R&D Tax Credits for Manufacturers – Investing in sustainable materials, smart home technology, and advanced manufacturing processes is costly but necessary. Tax incentives can accelerate innovation, leading to more affordable, efficient, and durable products.
  • Bonus Depreciation for Manufacturers – This innovative tax benefit was implemented in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Renewing it as part of a 2025 tax reform package would boost our industry’s ability to deliver on housing affordability.
  • Job Skills Training and Workforce Development Funding – Addressing the skilled labor shortage requires investment in trade education, apprenticeships, and vocational programs that equip workers with expertise in construction, fenestration, and energy-efficient building design.
  • Regulatory Reform and Standardization – Streamlining building codes, permitting processes, and efficiency regulations can reduce barriers to construction and renovation, making it easier and more affordable to bring new housing stock to market.
  • Lower Barriers to Free Trade – Trade restrictions on essential raw materials and components drive up costs for manufacturers, ultimately making housing more expensive. Reducing tariffs and trade barriers can keep supply chains moving efficiently and help stabilize pricing.


The Market Side: How the Industry Can Lead

While government action is important, manufacturers must also take the lead in market-driven solutions that directly impact housing affordability and workforce sustainability. Strategies could include:

  • Scaling Up Energy-Efficient Products – We can commit to improving affordability of, and accessibility to, high-performance windows, doors, and skylights. This can be our way of reducing long-term housing costs while making sustainability a priority.
  • Advancing Prefabrication and Modular Construction – Prefabricated building components, including advanced fenestration systems, can reduce labor costs and shorten project timelines, helping to make housing development more efficient.
  • Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience – Together, we can diversify sourcing, increase domestic production where feasible, and adopt lean manufacturing principles to prevent cost spikes from supply chain disruptions.
  • Investing in Smart Technology and Automation – Automated, self-tinting windows, integrated ventilation solutions, and AI-driven energy management don’t have to be radical concepts with no viable path to market. Together, we can enhance building performance and lower utility costs, making housing more sustainable and affordable over time.
  • Partnering with Workforce Development Programs – Engaging with technical schools, apprenticeship programs, and industry training initiatives can help ensure a steady pipeline of skilled labor, benefiting both manufacturers and the broader construction industry.

A Collective Responsibility

Neither industry or government alone can solve the housing affordability and workforce crisis. It will require a combined effort—policies that encourage smart investment and innovation, along with industry leadership that drives new solutions.

Our industry stands at the crossroads of this challenge, with the power to shape the future of buildings and communities. By working together—across industry and government—we can make home ownership more attainable, strengthen the workforce, and build a more sustainable future.

WDMA Reacts to New Tariffs Imposed by Trump Administration

by: John Crosby
Category: WDMA News
Feb
03

WDMA Statement on Imposition of Tariffs on Canada and Mexico

The Trump Administration has announced a plan to impose sweeping twenty-five percent tariff on all products imported from Canada and Mexico. The manufacturers of windows, doors, and skylights are expressing significant concerns about the conflicts posed by tariffs with the President’s stated goals of reducing inflation, addressing the housing affordability crisis, and advancing the role of manufacturing in America’s economy.

John Crosby, WDMA President and CEO, issued the following statement on behalf of the industry:

“Upon taking office, President Trump has expressed a commitment to advancing manufacturing in the U.S. while reducing the effects of inflation on consumers and making home ownership more affordable," . Manufacturers of windows, doors, and skylights in North America believe his decision to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico will have the opposite effect.

“Over time, manufacturers and suppliers of components and materials for their products in Canada and United States have developed a productive relationship. The result has been a healthy flow of components and materials across the border in both directions, as well as finished products for use in construction. This vibrant, cross border trade relationship has brought quality, good paying jobs to communities across the United States, often in small towns, imposing new tariffs will slow job growth in these communities. The result is an industry that provides materials that are critical to the health, safety and welfare of building occupants that support affordable homeownership.

“The member companies of WDMA urge the Trump Administration to reconsider tariffs as a bargaining tactic on border issues. We are committed to working with policymakers to make housing more affordable while continuing to provide jobs and economic value to our communities.”

Click here to view WDMA’s position on trade and tariffs.

Leading Through Advocacy

by: John Crosby
Category: WDMA News
Jan
30

from John Crosby, President and CEO


Welcome to 2025! This promises to be a transformative year for WDMA as we build on the successes of 2024 and create new value for your membership investment. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to shape the future of our industry and strengthen our collective impact.

Living in "Interesting Times"

The phrase "May you live in interesting times" has long been considered proverbial in nature and relating to a bad omen. Author Terry Pratchett has suggested the statement is the lowest in a trio of Chinese curses that included: “May you come to the attention of those in authority," and “May the gods give you everything you ask for."  Perhaps I am too optimistic, but I see more opportunities than threats in these statements.

More germane to this column, they collectively represent where we stand today in our advocacy efforts on behalf of your company and this industry.

As we move into this pivotal year, market forces, shifting policies, and intensified competition present us with an ideal environment for leadership. WDMA is ready to harness these conditions to drive meaningful change and elevate our industry.

Embracing an Offensive Strategy

WDMA has excelled at responding to inbound policy challenges and protecting our industry’s interests. This reactive approach has been vital in fending off threats on the periphery of national and state policymaking. Today, we need more than a defensive posture. It’s time to complement these efforts with a proactive, offensive strategy that positions us as thought leaders and collaborators in public policy.

A forward-looking approach requires clear goals, robust tactics, and strong relationships with legislators and regulators. Advocacy is most effective when built on collaboration, communication, and compromise—and when our "asks" align with shared values.

Our industry’s contributions are significant: from driving economic growth in our communities to supporting builders and architects in delivering better buildings, and ultimately, enhancing the human experience in the built environment. Policymakers need to understand how we can help them achieve their objectives while ensuring that policies do not hinder competitiveness or innovation.

The Power of Collaboration