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

Illustration of trade policy

Multiple new US levies targeting imported cabinet units, bathroom vanities, wood products, and select furnished seating are now in effect.

As per a proclamation enacted by President Donald Trump in the previous month, a ten percent import tax on wood materials foreign shipments came into play on Tuesday.

Tariff Rates and Upcoming Changes

A 25% duty is also imposed on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities – increasing to 50% on 1 January – while a 25% import tax on wooden seating with fabric is set to rise to thirty percent, except if updated trade deals are reached.

The President has referenced the necessity to protect US manufacturers and defense interests for the decision, but some in the industry fear the duties could increase residential prices and lead consumers delay home renovations.

Explaining Tariffs

Customs duties are levies on overseas merchandise typically imposed as a portion of a good's price and are paid to the federal administration by companies shipping in the goods.

These companies may pass some or all of the additional expense on to their clients, which in this instance means typical American consumers and additional American firms.

Earlier Import Tax Strategies

The leader's import tax strategies have been a key feature of his second term in the White House.

The president has before implemented sector-specific duties on metal, metallic element, aluminium, automobiles, and auto parts.

Impact on Canadian Producers

The additional international 10% tariffs on wood materials signifies the commodity from the Canadian nation – the number two global supplier globally and a significant American provider – is now tariffed at above 45 percent.

There is already a total thirty-five point sixteen percent American offsetting and trade remedy levies imposed on nearly all northern industry players as part of a years-old conflict over the product between the both nations.

Commercial Agreements and Exemptions

As part of active trade deals with the United States, levies on lumber items from the UK will not surpass ten percent, while those from the European community and Japan will not exceed 15%.

White House Rationale

The White House claims Trump's duties have been put in place "to guard against risks" to the United States' domestic security and to "strengthen factory output".

Business Apprehensions

But the Residential Construction Group commented in a release in last month that the fresh tariffs could increase housing costs.

"These new tariffs will produce additional obstacles for an currently struggling homebuilding industry by additionally increasing construction and renovation costs," said head Buddy Hughes.

Merchant Perspective

According to an advisory firm managing director and senior retail analyst the analyst, merchants will have no choice but to raise prices on foreign products.

Speaking to a media partner recently, she stated retailers would try not to raise prices too much prior to the holiday season, but "they can't absorb 30% duties on alongside previous levies that are presently enforced".

"They must shift expenses, probably in the guise of a double-digit price increase," she added.

Furniture Giant Response

In the previous month Scandinavian furniture giant the retailer stated the duties on furniture imports make doing business "tougher".

"These duties are impacting our operations similarly to fellow businesses, and we are attentively observing the changing scenario," the firm said.

Tamara Pittman
Tamara Pittman

A passionate fashion blogger with over a decade of experience in trend forecasting and personal styling.