Navigating tariff uncertainty

By Jenny Yu.  

Industry expert Melanie Butler outlines shifting trade actions and what contractors should watch for next. 

Roofing industry professionals continue to navigate unpredictable tariffs as federal trade policy shifts continue to affect material costs and supply chains. In this Roofing Road Trips® episode, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Melanie Butler, director of trade and transportation compliance at Sherwin-Williams, about how contractors should respond to evolving tariff actions.  

Melanie spoke of the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum that were at the forefront of concerns. “There was a new executive order raising the tariff on steel and aluminum to 50%,” Melanie said, referring to changes implemented June 4, 2025. She noted that these tariffs apply not only to raw materials but also to derivative steel and aluminum articles that roofing contractors commonly import. “These are tariff-specific, so they're mainly raw steel and aluminum or minimally processed,” she explained, highlighting how broad the impact can be for imported components. 

Melanie also discussed evolving reciprocal tariffs, which have fluctuated widely over the past year. “Initially, they were 20% on every country except China. The China rate at one point was 125% and now we're back down to 10%,” she said, underscoring the challenge of keeping up with changing rates that affect overall material pricing and planning. 

As the tariff environment grows more complex, Melanie urged contractors to understand the details of their supply chains and import documentation. “If you know the tariff code of your product, you’re then going to go into any negotiations with your eyes more open,” she said.  

Ultimately, uncertainty remains the central theme. “Uncertainty is the worst thing for business, as I've heard said,” Melanie noted. As foreign production and global logistics continue to shift in response to trade policy, industry professionals should stay informed and flexible. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how tariffs are affecting the roofing supply chain.