On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to investigate furniture imports, hinting at the possibility of imposing new tariffs on the sector. Posting on Truth Social, Trump revealed that a major tariff investigation on imported furniture is underway and expected to conclude within 50 days. While the exact tariff rate has not yet been determined, Trump argued the measure is intended to revive domestic manufacturing, especially in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, and Michigan.
As of July, the U.S. furniture and related manufacturing sector employed around 340,000 workers—roughly half the workforce recorded in 2000. The U.S. imported $25.5 billion worth of furniture in 2024, with China and Vietnam being major exporters.
This move adds to Trump’s recent tariff-driven approach, which has already affected imports of steel, autos, aluminum, and pharmaceuticals. While Vietnam and China face broad tariffs, Trump’s sector-specific probes—framed around national security concerns—are typically seen as more legally robust. Although overall inflation hasn’t been significantly impacted yet, economists suggest the full economic effects may take time to materialize.
