Furniture in the crosshairs of US tariff policy

US President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference at the White House. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

US President Donald Trump announced on August 22 that his administration would launch a "major" investigation into imported furniture, a move that could lead to higher tariffs on an industry that has seen prices rise due to tariffs.

On the social network Truth Social, the US President said that furniture from other countries entering the US will be taxed, with the specific tax rate not yet determined. This measure will bring the furniture industry back to North Carolina, South Carolina, Michigan and many states across the US.

Mr Trump said the investigation would be completed within 50 days, but other national security investigations have taken much longer. A White House official confirmed that the investigation would be conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

The investigation could provide additional legal support for existing tariffs, should a federal appeals court strike down the “reciprocal tariffs” that Mr. Trump imposed on several U.S. trading partners in April 2025, as well as import tariffs imposed in February 2025 on China, Canada and Mexico.

According to government figures, the furniture and wood products industry employed 1.2 million workers in 1979, but that number fell to 681,000 in 2000 and 340,000 today.

According to industry magazine Furniture Today, the US imported about $25.5 billion worth of furniture in 2024, up 7% from 2023. According to data from the US Department of Commerce, new tariffs on imports from furniture-producing countries contributed to a 0.7% increase in home furniture prices in July 2025, although overall consumer price inflation was contained by lower gasoline prices.

Furniture will be the latest imported product to be investigated by the Trump administration over national security concerns. The administration announced an investigation into imported wind turbines on Aug. 21 and has previously targeted copper and other metals.

The US Commerce Department has opened multiple investigations into the national security impact of imports of aircraft, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, heavy trucks, lumber, critical minerals and drones.

Since returning to power in January 2025, new tariffs imposed by Mr. Trump on goods from America's trading partners have increased the cost of doing business for importers and other companies.

The impact on overall consumer inflation remains limited for now. Economists predict it will take some time for tariffs to have an impact on the world's largest economy./.

Source: VNA

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/tin-moi/202508/do-noi-that-vao-tam-ngam-trong-chinh-sach-thue-quan-cua-my-eb3125d/