US President Donald Trump has imposed another slew of punishing tariffs on a bunch of household items, specifically wood items. The latest announcement is bound to bump up costs of furniture, kitchen cabinets and more amid already rising prices these past few months.
As per the new declaration, a 10% tariff would be charged on foreign softwood lumber and timber. Additionally, a 25% tariff hit kitchen cabinets, upholstered wooden furniture and vanities.
The duties will be effective October 14.
Looming furniture price surge
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report, the pre-existing and pre-announced tariffs have already slammed furniture prices. This also traces back to China and Vietnam’s stand as the original top two sources of imports, with both Asian nations exporting furniture worth $12 billion in 2024.
As a result, the cost records in August 2025 was 4.7% more than what it was in the same month last year. Consequently, furniture meant for living and dining rooms has also surged 9.5% over the past 12 months.
Trump tariff threats: National security probes continue
In a proclamation, titled “Adjusting imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products into the United States,” released September 29 (US time), it was noted that wood products played an essential role across multiple sectors. Most importantly, it serves as a supporting block for “national defence, critical infrastructure, economic stability, and industrial resilience in the United States.”
Moreover, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick concluded wood products are used “in critical functions of the Department of War, including building infrastructure for operational testing, housing and storage for personnel and materiel, transporting munitions, as an ingredient in munitions, and as a component in missile-defense systems and thermal-protection systems for nuclear-reentry vehicles.”
Among numerous other findings, these determinations were made in a report Lutnick sent to President Trump following an investigation into the consequences of imports of products like timber, lumber, and their various derivations on American national security under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232).
Trump’s focus on ‘America First’ thriving
The brand-news proclamation on trump’s tariffs comes merely days after the POTUS wrote on Truth Social, “We will be imposing a 50% Tariff on all Kitchen Cabinets, Bathroom Vanities, and associated products, starting October 1st, 2025. Additionally, we will be charging a 30% Tariff on Upholstered Furniture.”
Moreover, it banks on Trump’s March executive order that kicked off the investigation on this front, looking into the “abundance of timber resources that are more than adequate to meet our domestic timber production needs.”
Given Trump’s long-running ‘America First’ agenda, the September 29 White House release further reiterated the proclamation’s actions would lead to the creation of high-quality jobs and prioritise domestic production and consumption while also maximising exports and economic benefits.
This is a breaking story. More Information will be added soon…