The Latest Wood and Furniture Tariff Hikes Are Off the Table

On the eve of when they were scheduled to take effect, the president has halted increases on a number of wood products.

In the on-again/off-again world of Trump tariff policies, it’s off again for a round of increases that were scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1 of the new year. They are being delayed a year but an earlier round of increases in duties remains in place. 

Last September, the president announced a 10 percent hike on softwood lumber and log imports in addition to a 25 percent increase on upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets. Those continue but a second round of jumps is now on hold for a year. These would have taken duties on kitchen cabinets to 50 percent and 30 percent for upholstered furniture.

These are only the latest policy changes in overall tariff policies that have made conducting business and long-range planning difficult for any company in the wood products field. The president explained the newest change to ongoing negotiations with trade partners “to address trade reciprocity and national security concerns with respect to imports of wood products.”

According to reports, the administration said, “President Trump recognizes that an overreliance on foreign timber, lumber and their derivative products could jeopardize the United States’ defense capabilities, construction industry and economic strength.”

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