New US Presidential Duties on Cabinet Units, Lumber, and Furniture Are Now Active

Illustration of tariff policy

Multiple new United States tariffs targeting imported cabinet units, vanities, wood products, and certain furnished seating have been implemented.

Following a executive order enacted by Chief Executive Donald Trump last month, a ten percent duty on softwood lumber imports was activated this Tuesday.

Import Duty Percentages and Upcoming Changes

A twenty-five percent levy is also imposed on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities – increasing to fifty percent on the first of January – while a 25% tariff on wooden seating with fabric will increase to 30%, unless updated trade deals get finalized.

The President has cited the necessity to safeguard domestic industries and security considerations for the action, but various industry players fear the taxes could raise housing costs and cause consumers delay residential upgrades.

Defining Import Taxes

Import taxes are taxes on imported goods typically applied as a share of a item's price and are paid to the US government by companies shipping in the products.

These enterprises may pass some or all of the extra cost on to their clients, which in this instance means everyday US citizens and other US businesses.

Past Tariff Policies

The president's duty approaches have been a prominent aspect of his latest term in the White House.

Donald Trump has before implemented sector-specific taxes on steel, copper, light metal, cars, and car pieces.

Impact on Northern Neighbor

The supplementary worldwide 10% tariffs on softwood lumber signifies the product from Canada – the number two global supplier internationally and a major American provider – is now taxed at above 45 percent.

There is already a combined thirty-five point sixteen percent American countervailing and anti-dumping duties imposed on the majority of Canadian producers as part of a long-running conflict over the item between the neighboring nations.

Bilateral Pacts and Limitations

In accordance with current bilateral pacts with the United States, tariffs on lumber items from the United Kingdom will not surpass ten percent, while those from the EU bloc and Japan will not exceed 15%.

Administration Justification

The presidential administration states Donald Trump's duties have been implemented "to protect against risks" to the US's homeland defense and to "strengthen industrial production".

Business Worries

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

"These new tariffs will create further headwinds for an presently strained homebuilding industry by even more elevating development and upgrade charges," said head the group's leader.

Merchant Perspective

According to an advisory firm top official and market analyst the expert, merchants will have no choice but to raise prices on imported goods.

Speaking to a media partner last month, she stated sellers would seek not to hike rates drastically before the festive period, but "they can't absorb thirty percent tariffs on alongside other tariffs that are presently enforced".

"They'll have to pass through costs, likely in the guise of a double-digit price increase," she continued.

Retail Leader Reaction

In the previous month Swedish furniture giant Ikea commented the tariffs on imported furnishings make conducting commerce "more difficult".

"These duties are affecting our operations like fellow businesses, and we are attentively observing the developing circumstances," the company stated.

Allison Houston
Allison Houston

A seasoned workplace consultant with over a decade of experience in optimizing office dynamics and boosting team performance through innovative solutions.