WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said the United States will impose tariffs on imported lumber and furniture, citing national security, with the measures taking effect Oct. 14.
The administration said it is invoking a 1974 law to impose the levies.
The tariffs go into effect Oct. 14 and will be raised as early as Jan. 1 for certain countries that do not reach a deal with the U.S., the statement said.
The increases would be 30 percent for upholstered wood and 50 percent for kitchen cabinets and bathroom furniture, the statement said.
The announcement is the first in an expected series of three. Trump announced last week that three sectors will be affected; the other two are pharmaceuticals and heavy trucks.
The U.S. president initially said the levies would take effect Oct. 1. In the case of lumber, that now appears to be Oct. 14, the statement said.
The statement said timber imports are weakening the U.S. economy, threatening to bankrupt lumber mills, disrupting the logistics chain and underutilizing the U.S. lumber industry.
“Because of the state of the U.S. lumber industry, the U.S. may not be able to meet demand for wood products essential to national security and critical infrastructure,” the statement announcing the tariffs reads.
