Trump targets China with sweeping new furniture tariffs

US President Donald Trump has declared his administration will start slapping steep tariffs on countries that export furniture to America, putting China in the crosshairs of his efforts to bring manufacturing back to his country again, even amid ongoing high-level efforts between Washington and Beijing aimed at resolving their trade differences.

“In order to make North Carolina, which has completely lost its furniture business to China, and other Countries, GREAT again, I will be imposing substantial Tariffs on any Country that does not make its furniture in the United States. Details to follow!!! President DJT,” Trump vowed in one of a flurry of posts on Truth Social platform on Monday morning.

Trump’s tariff policy stems from his promises to help the furniture industry “return” to states like North Carolina, South Carolina and Michigan.

In August, Trump already suggested at a cabinet meeting that duties could reach 100 or even 200 per cent, while signalling that the measures would be implemented “pretty quickly”.

“That [furniture] business was stolen from us by others, not only China,” he said. “All of a sudden, you’re ordering furniture from China.”

An American flag flies in front of shipping containers and cranes at the Port of Los Angeles last week in the California city. Photo: AFP

China is the world’s largest furniture producer, with its output accounting for more than a quarter of the global share, and it is also the largest furniture exporter.

South China Morning Post