Have you been dreaming about updating your kitchen? Or, maybe getting a new bathroom vanity – one of the samples you pass by in Home Depot on the way to get cleaning supplies?
Well, it looks like those home renovation goals might have to stay in dreamland a little while longer. President Donald Trump just announced tariffs specifically on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and associated products.
“We will be imposing a 50% Tariff on all Kitchen Cabinets, Bathroom Vanities, and associated products, starting October 1st, 2025,” said the president in a Thursday Truth Social post. “Additionally, we will be charging a 30% Tariff on Upholstered Furniture. The reason for this is the large scale ‘FLOODING’ of these products into the United States by other outside Countries. It is a very unfair practice, but we must protect, for National Security and other reasons, our Manufacturing process.”
In a Friday press release, the National Association of Home Builders said these tariffs could raise construction costs.
“Trump is moving to impose the tariffs under a law known as Section 232, which allows the president to enact trade restrictions if the U.S. government determines they are a threat to national security,” said the release. “Details on these proposed tariffs are still sparse, and NAHB is working to get additional information from Trump administration officials to clarify and quantify the potential effects of these new tariffs on housing.”
According to Zillow, the average home value in the U.S. is currently $363,505, up 0.2% compared to last year. If you put the latest national wage index figure of $66,621.80 (as of 2023, per the Social Security Administration) into Zillow’s mortgage affordability calculator, it shows a person earning those wages would be able to afford a $217,582 home if they have $250 monthly debts and put $20,000 down.
Trump used tariffs to shape economic policy during his first term in the White House and he has continued that approach during his second term. While this method has drawn some criticism, Trump’s administration touted record tariff revenues of $31 billion as of early September.
Since taking office in January, Trump has threatened, implemented and called off various tariffs, including reciprocal tariffs. He announced changes to the reciprocal tariffs on Sept. 5. Reed Smith’s International Trade and National Security team tracks these tariffs, as well as counter-tariffs from other countries here.
Amid the changes and uncertainty, some expected price increases haven’t materialized. For example, WWJ Newsradio reported this week that car prices have not shot up like expected. Still, there have been impacts – WCCO reported this week on China buying soybeans from countries other than the U.S., described by one expert as a “punch in the gut.” Overall, Americans were feeling pretty down on the economy so far this year as of last month, according to this Audacy report.
On the other hand, American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance (AKCA) leader Perry Miller, president of Kountry Wood Products, praised Trump’s announcement in a Friday statement.
“President Trump’s 50% tariff on all kitchen cabinet imports will allow us to hire thousands of new workers and ramp up domestic cabinet production across our nation. With the stroke of a pen, President Trump is taking action to save America’s cabinet industry while strengthening U.S. economic and national security,” Miller said.
The AKCA website, says that “foreign producers, especially Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia, and China receive extensive government subsidies unlike U.S. producers.” It also says “these foreign countries are now FLOODING the U.S. market with illegally subsidized cabinets sold at prices up to 60% – 70% below fair market value.”