President Donald J. Trump on December 31 signed a proclamation delaying scheduled tariff increases on certain wood-related imports, including upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities, for an additional year.
The action, announced by the White House, invokes Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and postpones tariff hikes that were set to take effect on January 1, 2026, under a prior proclamation issued in September.
Under the new proclamation, the existing 25% tariff on covered upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities will remain in place through 2026. The administration said the delay is intended to allow additional time for negotiations with U.S. trading partners over trade reciprocity and national security concerns related to wood product imports.
National Security Rationale
The tariff policy stems from a Section 232 investigation completed earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which concluded that current levels and conditions of imported timber, lumber, and derivative wood products threaten to impair U.S. national security.
According to the White House, the administration has cited risks to the nation’s defense readiness, construction sector, and broader economic resilience stemming from heavy reliance on foreign lumber and wood products. Officials also pointed to foreign government subsidies and trade practices that they say disadvantage U.S. producers.
The proclamation states that delaying the tariff increase will allow negotiations to continue while maintaining existing protections for domestic manufacturers.
Part Of Broader Trade Strategy
The White House said the move builds on the administration’s broader use of Section 232 authorities to protect industries considered critical to national and economic security. President Trump has previously imposed tariffs under the same statute on steel, aluminum, copper, and automobiles.
The administration noted that additional Section 232 investigations are currently underway, including reviews involving semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, commercial aircraft, wind turbines, robotics, unmanned aircraft systems, and personal protective equipment.
President Trump has also issued multiple executive actions aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing, mining, and industrial investment, including efforts to reduce regulatory barriers and streamline federal oversight.
The proclamation takes effect immediately.