New tariffs take effect Thursday, hitting imports from China and Vietnam while raising costs for American households.
Steeper tariffs on certain imported furniture items took effect Thursday, a move that could add pressure on American households already grappling with high living costs.
The increase comes as part of a previously planned set of sector-specific tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has steadily expanded duties since his return to the White House.
In October 2025, the US imposed a 10% duty on imported softwood timber and lumber and a 25% duty on certain upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets. The new adjustments, effective Thursday, raise the rate on some upholstered furniture to 30%, while tariffs on kitchen cabinets and vanities double to 50%.
These measures primarily target imports from major furniture exporters such as Vietnam and China, although wood products from the UK are capped at 10%, and those from the European Union and select trade partners benefiting from agreements with Washington face a 15% ceiling.
The Trump administration justifies these tariffs as a way to protect domestic industries and national security. Products subject to these sector-specific duties are not affected by separate countrywide “reciprocal” tariffs, which in some cases are even higher.
Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court is set to rule on the legality of countrywide tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, but this will not affect the sector-specific duties now in place.
About the Author
