Floor Covering Weekly

Polls show most Americans dislike tariffs

Poll shows 56% of Americans think Trump's tariffs hurt the economy

Nearly two weeks since the end of the Republicans' National Emergencies Act loophole Trump's updated reciprocal tariff rates should be exposed to congressional scrutiny

Chinese automakers face other costs thousands of dollars for each car from tariffs European Union imposed on electric vehicles from China last year

President Trump maintained increasing tariffs would benefit United States by boosting domestic manufacturing addressing trade deficits raising revenues

Supreme Court could soon throw many tariffs out

Hotel occupancy rates have declined in many areas as business travel has waned given growing popularity of virtual meetings

“hotel occupancy rates have declined in many areas as business travel has waned given the growing popularity of virtual meetings.”

Office vacancy rates have climbed provoking decline in office real estate values

“office vacancy rates have climbed, provoking a commensurate decline in office real estate values.”

Hotel conversions account for additional 22 percent

“Hotel conversions account for an additional 22 percent”

Local governments have encouraged conversion of facilities to alternative uses to support local property tax base

“Local governments have encouraged — and often subsidized — the conversion of these facilities to alternative uses in an effort to support the local property tax base.”

Housing and affordable rental housing is popular target for these conversions

“Housing, and in particular affordable rental housing, is a popular target for these conversions.”

Almost 71000 office-to-apartment conversions were underway nationally

“almost 71,000 office-to-apartment conversions were underway nationally.”

Factories and warehouses [account for] another 17 percent

“and factories and warehouses another 17 percent.”

Spending has declined compared to year-ago levels through first five months of this year

“Through the first five months of this year, spending has actually declined compared to year-ago levels”

Commercial sector offices retail and hotels [is] leading downturn

“with the commercial sector — offices, retail, and hotels — leading the downturn.”

Last year saw additional 6.5 percent increase bringing three-year growth total to almost 50 percent

“Last year saw an additional 6.5 percent increase, bringing the three-year growth total to almost 50 percent.”

Housing starts in 2025 have not improved from 2024 levels

“Housing starts so far in 2025 have not improved from 2024 levels”

Construction downcycles are often short-lived

“Construction downcycles are often short-lived”

Housing starts increased 16 percent over 2020 levels in 2021 when economy was emerging from pandemic

“in 2021 when the economy was beginning to emerge from the pandemic, housing starts increased 16 percent over 2020 levels”

House prices nationally have increased 50 percent from pre-pandemic levels

“house prices nationally have increased 50 percent from pre-pandemic levels”