New Trump Tariffs on Cabinet Units, Lumber, and Home Furnishings Are Now Active

Illustration of trade measures

Multiple new United States levies targeting foreign-sourced cabinet units, vanities, lumber, and select upholstered furniture have been implemented.

Following a proclamation authorized by Chief Executive Donald Trump in the previous month, a 10% duty on wood materials foreign shipments was activated on Tuesday.

Import Duty Percentages and Future Increases

A twenty-five percent levy will also apply on foreign-made kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities – increasing to 50% on 1 January – while a twenty-five percent tariff on upholstered wooden furniture is set to rise to 30%, unless updated trade deals get finalized.

Donald Trump has pointed to the necessity to safeguard domestic industries and national security concerns for the action, but various industry players are concerned the taxes could raise housing costs and make customers put off house remodeling.

Understanding Import Taxes

Customs duties are taxes on overseas merchandise typically applied as a percentage of a item's price and are submitted to the US government by firms bringing in the products.

These enterprises may pass some or all of the extra cost on to their customers, which in this instance means everyday US citizens and additional American firms.

Past Import Tax Strategies

The leader's import tax strategies have been a central element of his current administration in the presidency.

Trump has previously imposed sector-specific duties on steel, copper, light metal, automobiles, and auto parts.

Effect on Canadian Producers

The extra global ten percent duties on softwood lumber signifies the product from Canada – the major international source globally and a key US supplier – is now dutied at over forty-five percent.

There is currently a combined 35.16% American countervailing and anti-dumping tariffs imposed on most Canadian producers as part of a long-running disagreement over the item between the both nations.

Commercial Agreements and Exemptions

Under active trade deals with the America, duties on lumber items from the United Kingdom will not go beyond ten percent, while those from the EU bloc and Japan will not surpass 15%.

Official Justification

The White House says Trump's tariffs have been put in place "to protect against threats" to the United States' homeland defense and to "bolster factory output".

Sector Worries

But the Homebuilders Association said in a release in last month that the recent duties could raise homebuilding expenses.

"These recent levies will create extra headwinds for an already challenged homebuilding industry by additionally increasing building and remodeling expenses," stated chairman Buddy Hughes.

Seller Viewpoint

According to an advisory firm senior executive and senior retail analyst the analyst, retailers will have little option but to hike rates on overseas items.

In comments to a news outlet recently, she noted stores would attempt not to raise prices too much prior to the year-end shopping, but "they cannot withstand thirty percent duties on alongside previous levies that are already in place".

"They must shift pricing, probably in the form of a two-figure rate rise," she remarked.

Retail Leader Reaction

In the previous month Swedish furniture giant the company said the tariffs on overseas home goods render conducting commerce "more difficult".

"The levies are influencing our business in the same way as fellow businesses, and we are closely monitoring the evolving situation," the enterprise stated.

Matthew White
Matthew White

A tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting.