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5h ago

U.S. Imposes New Tariffs on Lumber and Furniture as Rates Climb Again on Jan. 1

The White House says the Section 232 duties are meant to bolster U.S. production on national security grounds.

A worker sorts lumber at the Gorman Brothers Lumber sawmill, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Furniture prices in the United States have been rising at the fastest pace since the Covid-19 pandemic. Furniture executives caution that tariffs could amplify that trend.
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Rock House Farm Furniture, a 78-year-old North Carolina furniture maker, could benefit from new US tariffs on imports. But its CEO, Alex Shuford, is concerned unintended consequences may harm the broader ecosystem.

Overview

  • The tariffs took effect Oct. 14, setting a 10% duty on softwood lumber and 25% on certain upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets, with increases to 30% and 50% on Jan. 1.
  • Deals cap duties on wood products from key partners, limiting U.K. rates to 10% and those from the European Union and Japan to 15%.
  • Canada, the top U.S. lumber supplier, now faces roughly 45% effective levies when the new tariff stacks on existing anti-dumping and countervailing duties, drawing sharp pushback from industry groups.
  • Housing and remodeling costs are expected to rise, with the National Association of Home Builders warning of added headwinds and one estimate pegging an average new-home cost increase at about $2,200.
  • Industry reactions are split as domestic makers eye potential long-term gains while import-reliant firms raise prices, cut staff such as Jofran’s 20% layoffs, and experts anticipate a narrower product selection for consumers.