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Several fresh US levies targeting imported cabinet units, bathroom vanities, lumber, and certain furnished seating are now in effect.

As per a executive order authorized by Chief Executive Donald Trump in the previous month, a 10% duty on soft timber imports took effect starting Tuesday.

Tariff Rates and Future Increases

A twenty-five percent duty is also imposed on foreign-made kitchen cabinets and vanities – increasing to 50% on January 1st – while a 25% tariff on wooden seating with fabric is scheduled to grow to 30%, unless updated trade deals get finalized.

The President has cited the necessity to protect American producers and national security concerns for the decision, but some in the industry fear the taxes could increase residential prices and cause homeowners delay home renovations.

Explaining Tariffs

Tariffs are levies on foreign products typically charged as a percentage of a product's cost and are submitted to the US government by companies shipping in the items.

These firms may pass some or all of the extra cost on to their buyers, which in this instance means typical American consumers and further domestic companies.

Past Duty Approaches

The president's import tax strategies have been a key feature of his second term in the presidency.

Donald Trump has earlier enacted targeted taxes on steel, copper, light metal, automobiles, and car pieces.

Consequences for Northern Neighbor

The extra global ten percent duties on softwood lumber means the commodity from the northern neighbor – the number two global supplier worldwide and a key domestic source – is now dutied at more than 45%.

There is presently a aggregate 35.16% American offsetting and anti-dumping tariffs placed on the majority of northern industry players as part of a long-running dispute over the commodity between the both nations.

Commercial Agreements and Exclusions

Under existing trade deals with the United States, duties on wood products from the United Kingdom will not exceed ten percent, while those from the European community and Japanese nation will not exceed 15%.

Administration Explanation

The White House claims Donald Trump's import taxes have been enacted "to defend from dangers" to the US's domestic security and to "bolster factory output".

Business Concerns

But the Residential Construction Group commented in a statement in late September that the recent duties could escalate residential construction prices.

"These new tariffs will generate additional challenges for an already challenged homebuilding industry by further raising development and upgrade charges," said head the group's leader.

Retailer Perspective

Based on an advisory firm managing director and market analyst Cristina Fernández, retailers will have little option but to increase costs on imported goods.

In comments to a media partner last month, she said sellers would attempt not to increase costs drastically before the year-end shopping, but "they are unable to accommodate thirty percent taxes on in addition to previous levies that are currently active".

"They will need to pass through costs, likely in the guise of a significant cost hike," she remarked.

Furniture Giant Reaction

Last month Scandinavian furniture giant the retailer said the duties on overseas home goods make conducting commerce "more difficult".

"These duties are affecting our operations similarly to fellow businesses, and we are carefully watching the developing circumstances," the company said.