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This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs of “approximately 100%” on semiconductor imports, he said during a press briefing at the White House on Wednesday. Trump did not provide details about when the tariffs would go into effect or when the White House would release official documentation and guidance. The Trump administration is currently conducting a Section 232 investigation into semiconductor imports to assess their impact on national security and the domestic supply chain. Similar probes have led to sector-specific levies for steel, aluminum and copper.  On Tuesday, Trump said he would announce duties on semiconductors and pharmaceutical products “in the next week or so.” He indicated that pharmaceutical imports, which are also under Section 232 review, would face tariffs as high as 250%.  The White House has several other Section 232 investigations underway, including on critical minerals, commercial aircraft and jet engines, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks and parts.  Wednesday’s announcement came during a presentation in the Oval Office in which Apple CEO Tim Cook said the electronics giant would increase its investment in U.S. manufacturing by $100 billion over the next four years. In February, the company said it would invest $500 billion.  Meanwhile, in recent months, chipmakers Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and AI computing giant Nvidia have each unveiled plans to invest billions of dollars in the U.S. Read More

Skip to main content An article from President Donald Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over a recent report, which also slashed June’s new construction jobs by 90%. Published Aug. 7, 2025 The Frances Perkins Department of Labor Building is seen on Aug. 04, 2025 in the District of Columbia. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is an agency under the DOL. Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. President Donald Trump’s recent firing of a Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner over July’s federal jobs report cast nationwide attention on the practice of monthly revisions to the data. Trump took issue with the Aug. 1 report’s revision of previous months’ numbers, which reduced the employment numbers from May and June. Nevertheless, revisions to federal data are common, according to construction economists.  The practice comes as the BLS collects new data from employers who may be slower to report previous numbers, or as it corrects any errors. Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America — who also served from 2009 to 2015 on BLS’ Data Users Advisory Committee — joined other economists in reinforcing the accuracy of the numbers, despite their negative reflection of the economy. He also warned that the Aug. 1 firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer could weaken trust in national jobs data. “It is extremely unfortunate that the president removed a distinguished career economist and cast aspersions on the report,” said Simonson. “It may backfire on him in that a subsequent report with more positive numbers will now be regarded as having been manipulated to please him.” In terms of revisions to construction employment numbers, the BLS dropped June growth numbers by 90% from 147,000 new jobs to 14,000 new jobs, said Anirban Basu, chief economist of Associated Builders and Contractors. By comparison, for the year before June 2025 the average monthly revision between the first and second estimates was roughly 15,000 jobs, Basu said. July numbers For the July construction employment numbers, which were released the same day as the May and June revisions, nonresidential building employment rose by 6,400 jobs compared to June, according to analysis by Basu. That mark was also higher year over year by 114,000. Courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors Industrywide employment is up 1.2% over the past year, a pace Basu called “lackluster.” “The volatility in official economic statistics merely adds to the most salient aspect of the economy today: pervasive uncertainty,” Basu told Construction Dive. Softening construction could be attributed to high interest rates, a slowing economy and that uncertainty, Basu said.  “In short, unless contractors are engaged in ongoing public works, data center and/or related power construction, the near-term outlook is not especially positive,” he said. Residential construction has seen a continuous decline in employment numbers due to what Simonson called an “extreme weakness” in multifamily and single-family sectors. For the time being, construction’s employment outpaces declines in overall, total nonfarm payroll numbers, BLS data shows. That may not last, however. Courtesy of The Associated General Contractors of America “I see no reason to expect positive figures or an extreme positive,” Simonson said about the near future. “I would expect construction employment to remain pretty close to current levels.” Looking ahead, Basu cautioned that contractors may need to tighten the purse strings. “That means perhaps spending less aggressively on equipment and adding personnel. It may also mean releasing underperformers from employment after a period of rapid industry hiring,” Basu said. Read More

A contractor has been fined almost £10,500, including costs, for putting workers at risk of asbestos exposure. A1 Property Maintenance Management was the principal contractor during work at the former Unicorn pub (pictured), on Liverpool Road in Eccles, Greater Manchester. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), during a routine inspection on 16 May 2022, an inspector discovered 12 square metres of asbestos insulation board had been present in a food lift shaft, but had been “illegally removed by unknown individuals”. As a result, the health and safety watchdog issued a prohibition notice, halting all work on the site until an asbestos survey had been completed. In a previous incident, the HSE said a site worker had noticed that the pub had been broken into. The worker entered the building and discovered what appeared to be asbestos debris in the area around the lift shaft. “The debris was later wrapped and removed by a licensed asbestos-removal contractor,” the HSE said. But the contractor “failed to carry out a full asbestos survey to confirm that all asbestos-containing materials had been removed before allowing further construction work to take place”, it added. A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(6) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It was fined £5,360 and ordered to pay £5,117 in costs at a hearing at Tameside Magistrates’ Court, the HSE said. After the hearing on 30 July, an HSE spokesperson said: “This was a serious incident and put those working in the building at risk of being exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos. “Dutyholders are reminded of the need to review without delay an asbestos assessment if there has been a significant change in the premises to which the assessment relates.” The HSE noted that workers in trades such as construction, maintenance, demolition and installation are at particular risk of exposure to asbestos, and should ensure they have “appropriate training” before starting work that might disturb the material. Read More

Arron Jameson is head of projects at Keyline Civils Specialist, a subsidiary of Travis Perkins The government has pledged £725bn to civils spending over the next decade, in a welcome boost to our industry. The 10-year Infrastructure Strategy presents a significant opportunity for the construction sector to fuel long-term growth, improve procurement practices, and invest in new technologies and expertise.  “Contractors will need a supply chain prepared to meet shifting demands to mitigate risk” However, as the demand for materials increases, contractors’ ability to deliver on this ambitious plan will partially depend on whether the supply chain can evolve to become more agile, resilient and collaborative. Is the supply chain ready to embrace this shift? This long-term outlook from the Labour government increases confidence to invest, but the sector must ensure broader plans align with current market conditions, while being flexible enough to adjust course when required.  Contractors will need a supply chain prepared to meet shifting demands to mitigate risk; it’s fast evolving to support this effort, with many investing in real-time reporting tools, inventory planning and regional distribution networks. Driving sustainability at scale Delivering clean power by 2030 and supporting the 2050 net zero target both hold significant weight in the new Infrastructure Strategy. Contractors are under increasing pressure to meet sustainability and environmental, social and governance targets – but with Scope 3 emissions accounting for a significant percentage of their total, contractors will need a supply chain ready and equipped to support them.  To meet the demands of the strategy, it is essential to partner with suppliers that are transparent about carbon data and taking active steps to reduce impact and increase provision of low-carbon materials. Certifications like PAS 2080 make this process simpler. They provide clear, third-party verification of sustainability ambitions and, specific to PAS 2080, a standardised data framework that helps contractors and the supply chain to align.  Suppliers able to support modern methods of construction – another component of the strategy – such as offsite manufacturing and modular construction, will also be crucial to lowering carbon emissions and overcoming widespread skill shortages in the industry.  Compliance with Construction Playbook guidance – which emphasises the importance of early supply chain involvement (ESI) and cross-industry collaboration – was again reinforced in the strategy. Increased demand will stress material availability and introduce logistical challenges, but ESI can help identify and address potential bottlenecks long before they arise. It will require a carefully coordinated effort, collaborating closely early in projects, and moving away from competition towards longer-term relationships. This will help the supply chain share skills and pivot from a reactive approach to an explorative one, looking at ways to improve and innovate. Alleviating cost pressures Amid general economic uncertainty, exacerbated by factors such as increased national insurance contributions and fast wage growth, cost pressures are a significant challenge to delivering the strategy. But the supply chain is not just a source of risk in this regard – it’s a vital part of the solution. By facilitating early procurement, integrating sustainability measures into their schemes and mitigating logistics challenges during periods of high demand, the supply chain can help contractors plan proactively and boost productivity without adding cost.  The Infrastructure Strategy provides an excellent foundation for the construction sector, offering much-needed long-term direction and certainty. With the new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority’s plan to bi-annually update the infrastructure pipeline of projects online, a clear, accessible view is available for the first time. This, in combination with effective sector collaboration, will help the supply chain support and anticipate the demands placed upon contractors. Communication will be increasingly critical. The right supply chain partners can add real value – improving productivity, reducing costs and helping to reach ambitious goals. Read More

Civils contractor Octavius Infrastructure is set to begin construction on a new train station in Charfield, South Gloucestershire, after the project received approval and £39.5m in funding from the West of England Combined Authority. The station is expected to open by spring 2027, Construction News’ sister title New Civil Engineer reports. The station design (CGI pictured) includes: north and southbound platforms, including seating and shelters a connecting pedestrian footbridge with stairs and lifts ticket machines and real-time information for passengers covered cycle parking a bus stop car parking (including disabled bays, electric vehicle charging points, and a taxi and waiting area) local highway improvements, including additional pedestrian crossings Located centrally in Charfield, the station will offer hourly train services in both directions, providing residents with faster connections to key locations. Travel times are projected to be 32 minutes to central Bristol, 18 minutes to stations in north Bristol and 22 minutes to Gloucester. This improved access is designed to benefit approximately 14,500 people living within a three-mile radius. The infrastructure enhancements for walking and cycling are also designed to encourage sustainable travel. Charfield has not had a functioning train station since services ceased in 1965 and, historically, public transport options have been limited. Funding for the project is through a City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, a UK government initiative provided to and administered by the West of England Combined Authority. The capital funding is earmarked exclusively for sustainable transport infrastructure. West of England mayor Helen Godwin said: “Delivering projects like Charfield station lays the foundations for a better transport system overall for the West of England, building the kind of regional railway network that other places take for granted. “In the government’s recent Spending Review, we secured £752m for that next stage. “That means that the West can get out of the slow lane on transport and start to catch up with other city regions with better buses, more trains and mass transit – with trams and much more on the table.” South Gloucestershire’s council cabinet member for planning, regeneration and infrastructure, Chris Willmore, said: “The new station at Charfield will help local people connect without as much need to rely on their cars. “It will improve the local and regional road network and give people the option of fast, clean travel to the heart of neighbouring towns and cities for work, education and leisure. “We know this project has been a long time coming, and there will inevitably be some disruption while the work is carried out, but it’s an investment for the future of the village and the surrounding area, and we are so pleased to be getting on with delivering the infrastructure that people need.” Read More

The shortlist for the CN Workforce Awards 2025 has been unveiled. A total of 138 entries – up 10 per cent on last year’s event – have been chosen across 20 categories, highlighting the quality of submissions this year. “The breadth and depth of this year’s shortlisted entries reflect the resilience and dedication of the construction sector’s exceptional workforce,” said Construction News editor Colin Marrs. “We are proud to continue shining the light on the teams and individuals who help keep this industry delivering to the highest standards.” Tier one contractors are represented in this year’s shortlist by the likes of joint venture Balfour Beatty Vinci, Bam UK & Ireland, Bouygues and Galliford Try. Bam has seven nominations, more than any other firm on the shortlist. Balfour Beatty Vinci and GMI Construction are each represented in six shortlisted entries. The most hotly contested award of the evening – Health & Safety Initiative of the Year – includes 11 nominations. Winners in each category, chosen by a panel of 40 judges, will be announced at a celebratory black-tie dinner on 13 November at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The full shortlist can be viewed on the CN Workforce Awards 2025 website, where you can find more information about attending the event. Read More