In a September 25th social media post, President Trump announced a 30% tariff on imported upholstered furniture starting October 1st. The upholstered furniture tariff was announced alongside a 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and associated products. This action follows an August announcement of a tariff investigation on furniture entering the United States. Trump did not identify the statutory authority for these tariffs but indicated they were necessary “for national security and other reasons,” alluding to the Section 232 national security statute. There has not been official confirmation of such, and with the government shut down, it remains unclear when these tariffs will take effect. 

Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear oral arguments in a case that considers whether Trump’s tariffs on specific countries levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unconstitutional. If the Supreme Court agrees with lower courts, the administration will be forced to revoke tariffs it has imposed on numerous countries. Notably, the new upholstered furniture tariffs are based on a separate legal authority and would be unaffected by a Supreme Court ruling regarding the constitutionality of IEEPA tariff authority. 

Please contact ISPA’s GA Team (Alison Keane and Marty Salamone) if you have any questions or concerns. ISPA will update its membership once more information is available.