Trump Delays Tariff Increase on Furniture, Cabinets, and Vanities

On December 31, 2025, U.S. President Trump officially signed a presidential proclamation invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, deciding to delay the tariff increase on products such as upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities.

White House Official Announcement

The measure aims to alleviate consumer price pressures and provide more time for negotiations with relevant countries regarding the import of timber products. This decision was announced on the eve of the originally scheduled tariff implementation on January 1, 2026, and the current 25% tariff level will be maintained until January 1, 2027.

Background and Original Plan:

Previous tariff increases:

In March 2025, local time, Trump ordered the Department of Commerce to investigate the import of timber and wood products. On October 10, 2025, the U.S. Customs issued an announcement to impose ad valorem tariffs ranging from 10% to 25% on imported softwood lumber, upholstered wooden furniture products, and finished kitchen cabinets/vanities and their components.

Effective date: October 14, 2025.

Tariffs further increased.

On September 29, 2025, local time, Trump signed an announcement declaring a national security threat posed by the import of timber, lumber, and wood products, and announced further tariff increases on related furniture and cabinetry. This policy aims to support the domestic timber industry and address the issue of "foreign product flooding."

- Soft furniture: The tariff is raised from the current 25% to 30%. - Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities: The tariff is raised from the current 25% to 50%.

Effective date: Originally planned to be implemented on January 1, 2026.

Tariff delay:

New timeline: The tariff increase is postponed for one year, until January 1, 2027. During this period, the existing 25% tariff will continue to apply with no further increase.

Affected products: Mainly targeting imported goods from countries such as China, Vietnam, Canada, etc.:

● Cork wood and board materials: specific HTSUS codes: 4403.11.00, 4403.23.01, 4403.26.01, 4406.91.00, 4407.13.00, 4403.21.01, 4403.24.01, 4403.99.01, 4407.11.00, 4407.14.00, 4403.22.01, 4403.25.01, 4406.11.00, 4407.12.00, 4407.19.00

● Upholstered wooden furniture products: Specific HTSUS codes: 9401.61.4011, 9401.61.4031, 9401.61.6011, 9401.61.6031

Finished kitchen cabinets, dressing tables, and parts: specific HTSUS codes: 9403.40.9060, 9403.60.8093, 9403.91.0080

These products are considered wood derivatives and are subject to Section 232 national security tariffs.

Cause Analysis:

The main reason: The White House stated that additional time is needed to reach an agreement and avoid trade disruption due to "productive negotiations" with the importing countries regarding timber products. The Trump administration claimed that this delay helps "protect national security while promoting fair trade."

Economic and political context: Voter dissatisfaction with inflation and living costs (furniture prices have already increased due to existing tariffs), along with the pressure of the 2026 midterm elections, prompted Trump to ease some trade war measures.

Industry lobbying: For example, the American Home Furnishings Alliance also plays a role, warning that high tariffs may lead to job losses and supply chain disruptions.