Trade War: Washington Now Targets Foreign Furniture Imports

Washington is not about to bury the trade war hatchet. US President Donald Trump announced on Friday, August 22, on his social network, Truth, the launch of a procedure that could ultimately lead to the implementation of new sectoral customs duties , this time on furniture.

"I am pleased to announce that we will be launching a major investigation into the tariffs on furniture entering the United States. Within the next 50 days, the investigation will be completed and this furniture will be taxed at a rate yet to be determined," Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

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According to World Bank data, Vietnam, China, and Mexico were the top countries of origin for furniture sold in the United States in 2023. The ten largest furniture exporters to the United States, which account for more than 90% of the volume of furniture entering the country, are all already subject to tariffs above the 10% floor now applied to all products entering the United States.

Also read : Customs duties: understanding the disproportionate weight of the United States in wine and spirits exports in three graphs

In addition to the tariffs applied to all products entering the United States and the higher tariffs on products from the country's 90 main trading partners, the American president has already specifically targeted a number of sectors that he considers strategic or of particular importance to the American economy.

Thus, steel and aluminum were taxed at 25%, before rising to 50% in recent months, while the automotive sector is affected by a 25% surcharge, with certain exceptions, however, since the agreement with the European Union includes, for example, a 15% ceiling on all European products.

But he threatened other sectors with an even higher rate: semiconductors could gradually increase to 100% over the next few years, while pharmaceuticals could face a 250% surcharge. An investigation is also underway into construction timber and copper.