Trump Delays Furniture and Cabinet Tariff Increases Until 2027
Updated (2 articles)
Proclamation Pushes Tariff Hikes to 2027 President Trump signed a proclamation before the end of 2025 that postpones the scheduled increases on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities, keeping the existing 25 % rate in place and delaying the rise to 30 % and 50 % respectively until no earlier than January 2027[1][2].
National Security Rationale and Ongoing Negotiations The delay is framed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, citing national‑security concerns over wood imports and indicating that the administration is still negotiating reciprocity with trading partners[2][1]. The White House did not provide a detailed explanation for the postponement, merely noting the action as part of broader trade talks[2].
Economic Impact and Industry Concerns Industry groups warn that even the current 25 % tariff has pushed prices higher, especially as separate duties on Chinese and Vietnamese furniture already raised costs for consumers[2]. Stakeholders argue that further hikes could threaten jobs in the furniture and cabinet sectors[1]. Trump has argued the tariffs will eventually lower consumer costs and blames the Biden administration for recent inflationary pressures[2].
Legal and Policy Volatility Context The administration’s broad tariff authority is under review by the Supreme Court after lower‑court rulings questioned the scope of the emergency‑powers declaration[1]. Newsweek highlights this as part of a pattern of volatility in U.S. trade policy that creates uncertainty for supply chains and consumers[1].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Trump delays tariff hikes on upholstered furniture, cabinets – Details the one‑year postponement, the 25 % baseline rate, the Supreme Court review, and broader concerns about trade‑policy volatility.
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2.
CNN: Trump postpones furniture tariffs for a year, maintains 25% rate – Emphasizes the proclamation’s timing, the national‑security justification, price spikes from existing China/Vietnam duties, and Trump’s political framing of the tariffs.
Timeline
2025 – Trump orders the Commerce Department to conduct a Section 232 study of imported lumber, laying the legal groundwork for future wood‑product tariffs on national‑security grounds [1].
2025 – Existing tariffs on Chinese and Vietnamese furniture imports push retail prices higher, prompting consumer‑price concerns before any new furniture duties are enacted [1].
Sep 2025 – Trump announces 25 % tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities, with planned increases to 30 % and 50 % slated for 2026; the rates take effect in October 2025 [1].
Oct 2025 – The 25 % tariffs on kitchen cabinets and upholstered furniture become active, marking the first implementation of the new trade measures [1].
Dec 2025 – Trump signs a presidential proclamation postponing the scheduled tariff hikes, extending the 25 % rate through 2026 and pushing the higher rates to 2027; the White House cites ongoing reciprocity talks but gives no explicit reason [1][2].
Jan 1 2026 – The tariff hikes originally set for this date (to 30 % on upholstered furniture and 50 % on cabinets) are officially delayed by the proclamation, keeping the 25 % rate in place for at least another year [2].
Jan 2026 – In speeches, Trump claims the tariffs “could lower costs for American consumers” and blames the Biden administration for inflation, framing the policy as a consumer‑benefit despite higher prices [1].
2026 – Business groups, homebuilders and consumer advocates warn that the elevated tariffs raise costs and threaten jobs in the furniture and construction sectors, highlighting the policy’s economic footprint [2].
2026 – The Supreme Court reviews the administration’s authority to impose broad‑based Section 232 tariffs after lower‑court rulings question the emergency‑powers declaration [2].
2027 (planned) – The postponed tariff increases are set to take effect, raising rates to 30 % on upholstered furniture and 50 % on kitchen cabinets and vanities, contingent on the outcome of trade negotiations and the Supreme Court review [1][2].