New Trump Import Taxes on Kitchen Cabinets, Timber, and Furniture Are Now Active

Illustration of tariff policy

A series of recently announced US levies targeting foreign-sourced cabinet units, bathroom vanities, wood products, and specific upholstered furniture have come into force.

As per a executive order enacted by Chief Executive Donald Trump in the previous month, a 10% duty on wood materials foreign shipments came into play starting Tuesday.

Tariff Rates and Future Increases

A twenty-five percent duty is also imposed on foreign-made kitchen cabinets and vanities – escalating to 50% on 1 January – while a twenty-five percent import tax on upholstered wooden furniture is set to rise to thirty percent, provided that no fresh commercial pacts get finalized.

Donald Trump has referenced the need to shield US manufacturers and defense interests for the decision, but various industry players worry the taxes could raise residential prices and cause consumers postpone home renovations.

Explaining Import Taxes

Import taxes are levies on overseas merchandise usually charged as a portion of a item's value and are remitted to the federal administration by companies bringing in the goods.

These enterprises may shift part or the whole of the extra cost on to their buyers, which in this case means everyday US citizens and other US businesses.

Previous Tariff Policies

The leader's duty approaches have been a key feature of his latest term in the White House.

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

Impact on Canada

The additional international ten percent levies on softwood lumber signifies the material from the northern neighbor – the number two global supplier worldwide and a key American provider – is now dutied at over forty-five percent.

There is already a total thirty-five point sixteen percent US countervailing and anti-dumping duties imposed on most Canada-based manufacturers as part of a long-running disagreement over the product between the two countries.

Trade Deals and Limitations

In accordance with current bilateral pacts with the United States, levies on lumber items from the UK will not surpass 10%, while those from the European Union and Japanese nation will not exceed 15%.

Official Justification

The White House states the president's tariffs have been enacted "to protect against threats" to the United States' homeland defense and to "bolster factory output".

Business Apprehensions

But the Homebuilders Association commented in a statement in the end of September that the new levies could increase housing costs.

"These fresh duties will produce extra headwinds for an presently strained housing market by additionally increasing construction and renovation costs," said head the group's leader.

Retailer Perspective

According to Telsey Advisory Group managing director and market analyst the analyst, retailers will have no choice but to hike rates on overseas items.

During an interview with a news outlet in the previous month, she said sellers would try not to raise prices excessively prior to the festive period, but "they cannot withstand thirty percent taxes on alongside previous levies that are presently enforced".

"They will need to transfer pricing, likely in the shape of a significant price increase," she continued.

Retail Leader Statement

In the previous month Scandinavian home furnishings leader Ikea said the tariffs on overseas home goods cause operating "harder".

"The tariffs are affecting our operations similarly to other companies, and we are carefully watching the developing circumstances," the firm remarked.

Margaret Houston
Margaret Houston

A dedicated writer and theologian passionate about sharing faith-based insights and fostering community connections.