The potential impact of tariffs on the U.S. furniture manufacturing industry remains a topic of debate among industry leaders. Since President Donald Trump introduced tariffs—including an additional 20% on Chinese imports and 25% on steel and aluminium—opinions have been divided on whether these measures will revive domestic production.
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Shannon Williams, CEO of the Home Furnishings Association, is sceptical, stating that 'the U.S. labour market cannot support full-scale manufacturing.' She noted that about 50% of materials used in furniture production are sourced globally, and higher labour costs in the U.S. could drive up prices and reduce demand.
Doug Bassett, president of Vaughan-Bassett, expressed more optimism, arguing that existing manufacturers could benefit, particularly in upholstery and wood production. He highlighted that Vaughan-Bassett sources 97–98% of its materials domestically and believes 'our free trade policies have caused manufacturing to move overseas,' suggesting tariffs could help reverse this trend.
Gat Caperton, president of Gat Creek, believes tariffs could provide some growth but cautioned that rebuilding the industry would require "lots of investment" and expansion of supply chains. He estimated that U.S. furniture production could increase by 50% but would not return to pre-1990 levels.
David Wallace, sales manager at Mavin, agreed that tariffs could have some impact but stressed that "significant investment in new facilities and equipment" is necessary. He suggested that additional financial incentives might be required to encourage domestic production, particularly in response to competition from Vietnam.
While tariffs may provide opportunities for certain manufacturers, many experts argue that broader economic and regulatory changes would be needed for large-scale industry resurgence.
Source: www.designerstoday.com