In a recent proclamation signed shortly before the conclusion of 2025, President Donald Trump deferred the implementation of planned increases in tariffs on certain wood-based home products, including upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities, moving the effective date of these tariff hikes by one year to 2027.
This adjustment postpones tariff escalations that had previously been scheduled to take effect this Thursday. The initial tariffs, enacted in October following a directive issued in September, set duties at 25% for kitchen cabinets and upholstered furniture. Under the original schedule, these rates were slated to increase substantially in 2026 — rising to 50% for kitchen cabinets and 30% for upholstered furniture.
The administration’s latest directive retains the tariffs at their current 25% level rather than enforcing the planned hike, a decision accompanied by a White House statement emphasizing the continuation of constructive negotiations with trade partners. These talks are focused on addressing concerns related to trade reciprocity — ensuring equitable trade terms — and national security risks associated with the importation of wood products.
Since taking office earlier in 2025, the Trump administration has faced growing criticism for its role in contributing to price instability across various sectors of the U.S. economy. Inflationary pressures have been linked partly to the imposition of tariffs across a broad spectrum of imported goods. Notably, even before the recent 25% tariffs on furniture products, prices had already been rising steadily. This increase was connected largely to duties placed on most furniture imports, predominantly sourced from China and Vietnam — the leading exporters of these goods to the United States.
Despite widespread concerns regarding the affordability of household items for American consumers, President Trump has directed blame for inflation toward the preceding Biden administration. Furthermore, in various recent speeches, he has maintained that tariffs, in the long term, could serve to reduce costs for Americans.
While the administration’s most recent announcement refrained from explicitly detailing the motivations behind the deferment, prior rhetoric provides some context. In September, when announcing the new tariffs on kitchen cabinetry, upholstered furniture, timber, and lumber, President Trump cited national security imperatives as a primary justification. These actions followed a section 232 investigation conducted by the U.S. Commerce Department under the Trade Expansion Act, assessing the impact of imported lumber on U.S. security and industry.
During the months leading up to that decision, President Trump had expressed repeated critiques of Canada's large-scale lumber exports to the United States, emphasizing concerns about potential national security vulnerabilities given the substantial volume of lumber imports from its northern neighbor.
This delay of tariff increases occurs amidst an evolving trade landscape, as the administration balances protective trade measures with economic and diplomatic considerations. By maintaining the existing tariff rate of 25% for the time being, the government appears to be allowing additional time for negotiations that could influence future trade policies on wood-based products.