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By Sam Stevenson
Associate News Editor
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President Donald Trump has changed his mind on tariffs again by postponing steep increases on imported upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for one year.
Newsweek contacted the White House via email on Thursday for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump's decision underscores ongoing volatility in U.S. trade policy and arrives as American consumers and businesses grapple with inflation, supply chain disruptions and uncertainty surrounding the long-term impact of frequent changes in tariff strategy.
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What To Know
On Wednesday, Trump signed a presidential proclamation delaying the implementation of increased tariffs on specific imported goods for one year that were set to begin January 1, 2026.
A fact sheet provided by the White House says: “Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (Act) to delay increases in tariffs for upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities for another year.”
The move, made official on New Year's Eve, keeps September's existing 25 percent tariff on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities in place but postpones scheduled hikes to 30 percent for upholstered furniture and 50 percent for kitchen cabinets and vanities.
It follows domestic concerns about rising prices and months of fluctuating tariff policies, involving rapid announcements and reversals of import taxes across multiple industries.
Trump's administration has defended the use of tariffs as tools to address trade imbalances and bolster domestic manufacturing, often citing national security.
It comes amid concerns from business groups, homebuilders and consumers about the economic impacts of elevated tariffs, including higher costs and potential job losses in affected industries.
Trump's broader strategy has seen him impose, threaten, delay and sometimes rescind tariffs, creating significant economic uncertainty.
What People Are Saying
A White House fact sheet: “The United States continues to engage in productive negotiations with trade partners to address trade reciprocity and national security concerns with respect to imports of wood products.
“The United States will therefore delay the increase in tariff rates for upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities that was set to take place on January 1, 2026, under the September 29, 2025, Proclamation for an additional year.”
Office furniture manufacturer Humanscale CEO Bob King told Dezeen: "It's very hard, as you can imagine, to make long-term decisions in this climate. Tariffs are changing rapidly every few weeks. Our people in operations have worked 60-hour weeks, sometimes more, just dealing with this. It's been a very stressful year for all U.S. manufacturers."
What Happens Next
The delayed tariffs will now take effect no earlier than January 2027, providing temporary relief to importers, manufacturers and retailers. However, the threat of eventual increases could lead companies to adjust supply chains, stockpile goods or accelerate investments in domestic production.
Meanwhile, Trump’s tariff authority is under review by the U.S. Supreme Court following lower-court rulings questioning the scope of his emergency-powers declaration for levying broad-based import taxes.
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