Expect to keep 25% tax on wooden furniture exported to the US

VTV.vn - Vietnam's wood industry expects the US to maintain a 25% tax rate and avoid increasing it to 50% from 2026 to maintain exports and balance trade interests between the two sides.

The US market has long been one of Vietnam's most important export markets, especially for the wood and seafood industries. However, with the US announcing new import tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Act of 1974, products such as kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets and upholstered furniture will be subject to a 25% tax from October 14 (US time) and may increase to 50% from the beginning of 2026, causing many challenges for wood businesses.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , in the first 9 months of 2025, Vietnam's wood and wood product exports reached 12.52 billion USD, of which the United States accounted for 55.8% of the total turnover. The imposition of a 25% tax from October 14 (US time) will not cause much disruption to orders, however, if the 30-50% tax is applied from the beginning of 2026, the wood industry will face many difficulties.

The Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association said that, in addition to market diversification, the United States is still one of Vietnam's important export partners. Therefore, the association recommended that the Ministry of Industry and Trade negotiate based on authentic evidence, affirming that the Vietnamese and US wood industries are complementary and not directly competitive.

Mr. Ngo Sy Hoai - Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association said: "The wood trade relationship between Vietnam and the United States is a two-way relationship. We are a country that exports many wood products to the United States, but we are also a country that consumes many raw wood products from the United States. Vietnam is the second largest consumer of roundwood and sawnwood from the United States, these are products that the United States also needs to consume."

Enterprises said they have proactively responded, providing comprehensive solutions for interior spaces in the United States because of the huge demand in this market. They also expect effective and positive negotiation signals from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the US Department of Commerce so that the wood and forestry industries of the two countries can continue to maintain the good signals of the past time.

Source: https://vtv.vn/ky-vong-giu-thue-25-cho-do-go-xuat-khau-sang-hoa-ky-100251016102005077.htm