The following tariffs are being introduced by the White House:
- 10% global tariff on imports of softwood lumber
- 25% tariff on upholstered furniture, raised to 30% starting on January 1, 2026
- 25% tariff on kitchen cabinets, furniture and vanities, raised to 50% starting on January 1, 2026
- Trading partners who enter into agreements with the US may receive more favorable conditions.
- Special conditions apply to the United Kingdom (maximum 10%), the EU, and Japan (maximum tariff of 15% each).
- Products not subject to Section 232 tariffs are generally subject to reciprocity tariffs.
Countries subject to anti-dumping or countervailing duties – a clear reference to the US’s main supplier, Canada – are exempt from these tariffs and conditions.
According to the White House, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce concluded that timber, volumes and conditions of lumber and furniture imports are eroding the country’s national security, the argument being that the dependence on foreign wood and wood products jeopardizes defense capabilities, the US construction industry, and economic strength. “Wood is a key raw material for civilian construction and military infrastructure.”
The US military invests over US-$10 billion a year in construction projects and tests new wood products such as cross-laminated timber. The government emphasizes that the US is capable of satisfying 95% of its own softwood lumber demand. However, the country has been a net importer since 2016 – something Washington wants to change.
