If you've noticed pricier home furnishings lately, get ready for a potential new round of tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that his administration will launch a major tariff investigation on furniture entering the United States under Section 232 of the national security statute.
The probe is set to wrap up within 50 days, although past investigations under Section 232 have often taken longer. Still, the White House says this accelerated review could pave the way for higher duties on imported furniture across the board.
These duties might also shore up existing tariffs imposed earlier this year on imports from the Chinese mainland, Canada and Mexico, serving as a legal backstop if U.S. courts strike down the April reciprocal duties on a wide range of trading partners.
The announcement sent shares of furniture retailer RH—formerly known as Restoration Hardware—down 7.5 percent in after-hours trading, signaling market jitters about rising costs and tighter trade barriers.
Beyond stock moves, the U.S. furniture and wood products industry has seen a steep decline in jobs over the past decades: 1.2 million people worked in the sector in 1979, but that number fell to 340,000 by 2024, government data show.
Meanwhile, the United States imported about $25.5 billion in furniture in 2024—up 7 percent from 2023—and new tariffs have already nudged home furnishing prices up by 0.7 percent in July, according to Commerce Department data, even as overall inflation eased on lower gas prices.
With consumers bracing for further cost pressures, the investigation raises fresh questions about the future of U.S. manufacturing, global supply chains and the price you pay for that next sofa or dining set.
Reference(s):
Trump says U.S. taking steps towards tariffs on furniture imports
cgtn.com
