United States President Donald Trump has delayed the introduction of steeper US tariffs on selected imported furniture products for one year, issuing the order just hours before the higher duties were due to take effect on Thursday, January 1. The move temporarily spares consumers and retailers from sharp price increases while reopening space for negotiations with key trading partners.
The delayed tariffs were part of a broader package of sector-specific trade measures revived by Trump since his return to the White House. Under the original plan, duties were set to rise to 30 per cent on certain upholstered furniture and 50 per cent on kitchen cabinets and vanities, significantly increasing costs across the US home furnishings market.
Late on Wednesday, Trump signed an order postponing the tariff hike until January 1, 2027, citing ongoing negotiations over imported wood products. In a statement announcing the decision, the White House said the delay was intended to allow additional time for talks with other countries.
“Given the ongoing productive negotiations regarding the imports of wood products, the President is delaying the tariff increase to allow for further negotiations to occur with other countries,” the statement said.
The decision comes as US households continue to face elevated living costs, with housing, renovation, and household goods remaining particularly sensitive sectors. Industry groups had warned that the planned tariff increases would almost certainly be passed on to consumers, further straining household budgets and dampening demand in an already slowing housing market.
The furniture industry has been directly affected by Trump’s broader trade agenda in 2025, which has seen a renewed push for tariffs across a wide range of sectors. Since returning to office, Trump has imposed duties on goods ranging from steel and aluminum to automobiles, framing the measures as essential to protecting domestic manufacturing and national security.
In October, the administration implemented a 10 per cent tariff on imported softwood timber and lumber, alongside a 25 per cent duty on certain upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets. Those measures remain in place and continue to affect imports entering the US market.
The higher tariff rates that were set to begin this week would have hit imports from major suppliers such as Vietnam and China, both of which play a critical role in meeting US demand for affordable furniture. Together, the two countries account for a large share of US furniture imports, particularly in categories such as upholstered seating, cabinetry, and household storage products.
US retailers and importers have argued that domestic production cannot currently meet demand at competitive prices, warning that abrupt tariff hikes risk supply disruptions, store closures, and job losses in downstream sectors such as logistics and retail.
While the delay offers short-term relief, uncertainty remains high. The Trump administration has signaled that additional trade investigations are underway, raising the possibility of new levies in other sectors in the coming months.
Adding to the legal uncertainty, the US Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of countrywide tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The case could have far-reaching implications for the administration’s authority to impose broad trade restrictions without congressional approval.
For now, the postponement underscores the balancing act facing the White House as it seeks to advance a protectionist trade agenda while navigating inflation concerns, legal scrutiny, and the economic realities confronting American consumers.
The delayed tariffs will be reviewed again ahead of their new implementation date in 2027, leaving businesses, suppliers, and trading partners watching closely for the administration’s next move.
