Trump Delays Tariff Hike on Furniture, Cabinets by 1 Year

The delay postpones a scheduled increase from 25 percent to higher rates on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities, originally set for Jan. 1.

Furniture is displayed at an IKEA store in Emeryville, Calif., on Sept. 26, 2025. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

President Donald Trump has postponed a planned increase in tariffs on imported upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities by one year, enabling further trade negotiations while keeping the current 25 percent duty in effect, the White House said Wednesday.

The declaration, signed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, delays the hike that was scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2026.

The decision comes after a Commerce Department probe earlier this year that determined imports of timber, lumber, and related products pose a threat to national security by fostering overreliance on foreign sources.

“This Proclamation builds on previous actions taken by the Trump Administration to ensure U.S. trade and industrial policies serve the national interest,” reads a White House fact sheet.

The tariff on furniture had been set to increase to 30 percent in 2026, while the tariff on kitchen cabinets and vanities had been set to increase to 50 percent in 2026, which has now been delayed until 2027.

The current 25 percent tariff on certain upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities, implemented under the Sept. 25, 2025, Proclamation, remains in effect. A Sept. 29 Proclamation had originally set the stage for the now-postponed increase.

The secretary of commerce wrapped up a Section 232 investigation under the Act, which revealed that the current quantities and conditions of the imports of wood products weakened national security.

“President Trump recognizes that an overreliance on foreign timber, lumber, and their derivative products could jeopardize the United States’ defense capabilities, construction industry, and economic strength,” the White House said in its fact sheet.

The Trump administration highlights foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices as a threat to the competitiveness of the U.S. wood products industry.

These tariffs, which have been in effect since October, are designed to combat foreign cost undercutting.

Beginning on Oct. 14, 2025, the United States applied a 10 percent tariff on imported softwood timber and lumber. It also placed a 25 percent tariff on all imports of upholstered wooden products, often furniture, as well as on kitchen cabinets and vanities. The American lumber industry and cabinet makers see the tariffs as a key to stopping foreign competitors from undercutting Americans.

Trump announced his America First Trade Policy on the first day of his second term, pledging to strengthen the American economy.

The president has routinely employed Section 232 tariffs to safeguard against perceived threats in a bid to bolster manufacturing needed for national and economic security, including on steel, aluminum, copper, and cars.

The Department of Commerce is currently investigating semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, commercial aircraft, wind turbines, robotics, unmanned aircraft systems, and personal protective equipment, the White House said. Trump implemented reciprocal tariffs to address nonreciprocal trade relationships.

Trump has issued numerous executive orders, proclamations, and presidential memoranda to support mining, manufacturing, and investment in domestic industry, including by slashing regulations and trimming bureaucracy.

Meanwhile, international blowback includes efforts like Ontario’s $75 million anti-tariff campaign, highlighting tensions over softwood lumber duties at 35 percent.