Fact sheet clarifies tariff treatment for trade partners under President Trump’s levies.
WASHINGTON — The White House has released a fact sheet that details how new tariffs on furniture and lumber imports will apply to U.S. trading partners, with the United Kingdom, the European Union and Japan set to receive more preferential terms under their trade agreements.
The fact sheet follows a proclamation, signed by President Donald Trump, which imposes a 25% tariff on upholstered furniture imports, which will rise to 30% on Jan. 1, 2026.
Imports of kitchen cabinets and vanities will face a 25% tariff that doubles to 50% on the same date.
For most countries, those duties will apply in full, but the fact sheet clarifies a key point that had left many in the furniture industry scratching their heads: how these duties will apply to countries with which the administration has struck or will strike trade deals. The fact sheet revealed that imports from the U.K. will face a tariff cap of 10%, while products from the EU and Japan will be capped at 15%. Other trading partners that negotiate with the U.S. may secure alternatives to the scheduled tariff increases.
In addition, the proclamation sets a 10% global tariff on softwood lumber, a sector the administration described as vital to both civilian construction and military infrastructure. The White House noted the U.S. military spends more than $10 billion annually on construction projects, including work with cross-laminated timber.
The Commerce Department’s Section 232 investigation preceding the proclamation found that imports of timber, lumber and derivative products “threaten to impair the national security” of the United States. The report pointed to U.S. reliance on imports since 2016 despite having the capacity to meet about 95% of domestic softwood demand.
The administration said the tariffs are intended to counter foreign subsidies and trade practices it views as unfair, while encouraging U.S. production to mitigate supply chain risks.
Monday’s announcement builds on earlier Section 232 measures on steel, aluminum, copper and autos, as well as reciprocal tariffs meant to reshape trade relationships viewed as unfavorable to the United States.
