Timber and furniture tariffs put pressure on the US housing market

VTV.vn - The cost of building new homes in the US is expected to increase sharply as import taxes on wood and furniture rise to 25%.

Imported wood warehouse in Los Angeles, USA. Photo: CNN

US President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order imposing tariffs on wooden furniture and home furnishings. The new tariffs are expected to put more pressure on the US housing market. A 10% tariff will be applied to imported logs and lumber, while kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets and upholstered furniture will be subject to a 25% tariff.

These tariffs will take effect from October 14 and continue to increase sharply in early 2026, if the relevant exporting countries do not reach an agreement with Washington.

The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the new tariffs, combined with previous tariffs on aluminum, steel, and trucks, will add about $10,900 to the cost of building each new home.

This will put pressure on many families in need of buying houses, while businesses face difficulties in forecasting costs and construction plans.

In fact, Trump’s various tariffs have pushed up furniture prices significantly over the past year. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, furniture prices in the US increased 4.7% in August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with living room and dining room furniture in particular increasing by 9.5%.

The price increases come as Mr. Trump has increased tariffs on China and Vietnam, the two leading sources of imported furniture to the United States. Together, the two countries exported about $12 billion worth of furniture and woodwork to the United States last year, according to U.S. Commerce Department data.

The move is also seen as a blow to Canada, the largest supplier of lumber to the United States, which is already subject to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties of 14.5%. The Canadian government said it would launch a $1.2 billion (about $870 million) support package for its lumber businesses.

Meanwhile, the US gives preferential treatment to some partners with whom it has bilateral trade agreements. Timber products from the UK will only be subject to a ceiling tax of 10%, while those from the European Union (EU) and Japan will be subject to a 15% tax.

Source: https://vtv.vn/thue-go-noi-that-gay-ap-luc-len-thi-truong-nha-dat-my-100251001080450372.htm