President Donald Trump has once again thrust tariffs into the spotlight, announcing sweeping new duties on imported lumber, timber, and a broad array of furniture products in a move aimed at bolstering American manufacturing. The latest round of tariffs, which will impact everything from softwood lumber to upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets, reflects Trump’s ongoing use of trade policy as a lever to revive domestic industries—particularly those in states like North Carolina, historically a powerhouse in furniture production.
According to a proclamation signed on September 29, 2025, Trump ordered a 10% tariff on imports of softwood timber and lumber, alongside a hefty 25% levy on kitchen cabinets, vanities, and upholstered wood products. These measures are set to take effect starting October 14, with some increases scheduled for January 1, 2026, following a Commerce Department investigation into the importation of lumber, timber, and related products launched earlier in March.
But the administration didn’t stop there. Just a day later, on September 30, President Trump took to Truth Social to double down, promising even more aggressive action. He declared that details would soon be released on tariffs for imported furniture, following an announcement of levies as high as 50%. "I will be imposing substantial Tariffs on any Country that does not make its furniture in the United States. Details to follow," Trump posted, specifically pointing to lost business in North Carolina as a driving force behind the policy shift.
The new duties, set to take effect October 1, include a 50% tariff on imported kitchen cabinets and vanities and a 30% levy on upholstered furniture. These rates mark some of the highest tariffs imposed in recent memory, and they target countries that export furniture to the U.S. without maintaining domestic production. The move is particularly pointed at China, Mexico, and Vietnam, which have become major sources of furniture imports as U.S. manufacturing capacity has waned.
Industry leaders have responded with a mixture of anxiety and resignation. Executives warn that the tariffs are likely to push up costs for consumers, at a time when prices for everyday goods—from televisions to clothing—are already climbing. Williams-Sonoma and RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), two major players in the U.S. furniture market, highlighted these risks in their recent earnings calls, cautioning that higher tariffs could worsen already mounting pricing pressures. As Reuters reported, supply-chain disruptions and rising commodity costs have left manufacturers and retailers struggling to manage expenses amid frequent changes to tariff policy.
Trump’s focus on North Carolina is no accident. The state was once the heart of America’s furniture industry, home to legendary manufacturers and a skilled workforce. Over the past two decades, however, the sector has been battered by global competition. Factories shuttered, jobs vanished, and entire communities were left scrambling for new livelihoods as production shifted overseas—primarily to China and Southeast Asia. Trump’s rhetoric taps into this deep well of economic dislocation, promising a return to prosperity for regions that have felt left behind by globalization.
"North Carolina has completely lost its furniture business to China and other countries," Trump stated in his Truth Social post. The message was clear: by raising the cost of imported goods, the administration hopes to level the playing field for American manufacturers and encourage companies to bring production back home.
The ripple effects of these tariffs are expected to be significant. Domestic manufacturers such as Ethan Allen and La-Z-Boy could see a boost in demand if higher import prices make their products more competitive. On the other hand, online retailers like Wayfair, which relies heavily on imported goods, may face steeper costs and difficult decisions about whether to pass those costs on to consumers or absorb them in their margins.
Yet the policy is not without its critics. Many industry executives argue that the U.S. simply doesn’t have the manufacturing capacity to meet current demand for furniture and related products. As a result, they warn, the tariffs could end up hurting American consumers more than foreign competitors. "Companies in the United States remain dependent on imports from China, Mexico and Vietnam due to limited domestic manufacturing capacity," noted one industry executive, echoing concerns raised by both Williams-Sonoma and RH.
For many families, the timing couldn’t be worse. Prices for household goods have been on the rise for months, fueled by higher commodity costs and persistent supply-chain bottlenecks. The introduction of steep new tariffs threatens to accelerate these trends, making it even harder for consumers to afford basic home furnishings. According to Reuters, manufacturers and retailers are already struggling to manage rising costs, and the frequent changes in tariff policy have only added to the uncertainty.
The administration’s strategy is part of a broader effort to use trade policy to support key domestic industries. The initial round of tariffs—10% on softwood timber and lumber, 25% on kitchen cabinets, vanities, and upholstered wood products—was the result of a Commerce Department investigation into the impact of imports on U.S. producers. The subsequent announcement of even higher tariffs, including 50% on kitchen cabinets and vanities and 30% on upholstered furniture, represents an escalation designed to send a clear message to foreign exporters and domestic manufacturers alike.
Trump’s approach has drawn both praise and criticism from across the political spectrum. Supporters argue that the tariffs are a necessary step to protect American jobs and industries that have been hollowed out by decades of unfair trade practices. They point to the potential for revitalizing communities like those in North Carolina, where the decline of manufacturing has left a lasting mark. Detractors, however, warn that the tariffs risk sparking retaliatory measures from trading partners, raising prices for consumers, and ultimately undermining the very industries they are meant to protect.
As the October deadlines for the new duties approach, all eyes are on the furniture aisles—and the price tags. Will American manufacturers be able to ramp up production quickly enough to fill the gap left by imports? Will consumers balk at higher prices, or will they rally behind the push for Made-in-America products? And how will trading partners respond to the latest volley in the ongoing tariff wars?
One thing is certain: the coming months will be a test not only of the administration’s trade policy, but of the resilience of American consumers and the adaptability of the nation’s manufacturing base. For now, Trump’s tariff gambit has set the stage for a high-stakes showdown that will be felt in factories, showrooms, and living rooms across the country.
