Trump Just Announced Major New Tariffs on Trucks and Furniture
Donald Trump is doubling down on tariffs, and this time he’s aiming straight at household goods and big rigs. Starting October 14, the U.S. will slap a 25% tariff on imported kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and similar wood furniture products. Upholstered furniture is also subject to this 25% tariff, which is scheduled to increase to 30% beginning January 1. Additionally, heavy-duty trucks will face a 25% tariff starting October 1, a move Trump claims is aimed at protecting U.S. manufacturers and national security.
These announcements come after months of pressure from American companies, which have warned against further tariffs. However, Trump is unwilling to back down; he argues that foreign countries are “flooding” the market with cheap goods. That, he says, is undercutting U.S. workers and weakening industries that he believes are vital for the country. The timing has rattled businesses and investors, especially with the furniture sector already feeling the sting of earlier tariff hikes.
Furniture Takes Another Blow
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For anyone who’s been furniture shopping lately, the price tags are shocking. Government inflation data indicate that furniture prices rose in 2025 due to broader tariff and supply chain pressures. Earlier tariffs aimed at China and Vietnam hit the sector hard, with both countries ranking as the top suppliers of imported furniture. Together, they sent billions of dollars’ worth of furniture and fixtures to the U.S. last year.
Now, companies like Wayfair, RH, and Williams-Sonoma are watching their stock prices wobble as the market reacts. IKEA has also said the new rules will make business “more difficult.” For U.S. consumers, the expectation is simple: higher prices on everything from sofas to shelving. Industry leaders in Vietnam have already warned that the tariffs are unfair and could damage one of their largest export sectors.
Trucks In The Crosshairs
Heavy trucks aren’t escaping the tariff wave either. Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported models, saying it will protect American makers like Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner. Many foreign trucks are built in Mexico and shipped tariff-free under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, as long as they meet strict North American content requirements.
If the new tariff applies across the board, Mexico could be hit the hardest, as it supplies the bulk of U.S. heavy truck imports. This could have ripple effects on supply chains and raise transportation companies’ costs. Earlier tariffs on metals had already driven up production costs for truck manufacturers, so the new duties may add further financial strain to the industry. Trade groups warn that higher costs for commercial vehicles could ultimately lead to increased prices for everyday goods.
Pharmaceuticals Pulled Into The Fight
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Furniture and trucks weren’t the only targets. Trump also announced a 100% tariff on branded or patented drug imports, unless the company builds a factory in the U.S.
Generic drugs are excluded, and countries with trade deals that cap pharmaceutical tariffs at lower levels, such as Japan and the EU, are protected. But for the UK, the picture is murkier. Britain’s trade deal didn’t specify pharmaceuticals, which could leave billions of dollars in exports exposed.
Pharma giants seem to be hedging their bets by investing heavily in American facilities. GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Roche, and Novartis have all announced major new projects in the U.S., moves that could shield them from Trump’s tariffs. Still, European industry groups have called for urgent talks, worried about how these policies might affect patient access to medicine on both sides of the Atlantic.
Tariffs And The Road Ahead
Trump’s latest tariffs are being enforced under Section 232, a national security trade statute that gives the president broad authority. The Supreme Court is preparing to weigh in on the legality of his broader reciprocal tariffs, which lower courts have already struck down. At the same time, the Commerce Department has initiated new investigations into industries such as robotics, medical equipment, and renewable energy components, which means more duties may be on the way.
Critics argue these measures might secure short-term wins for U.S. producers but leave consumers footing the bill. Furniture imports from China and Vietnam account for a significant share of the United States’ total shipments, and limiting these supplies could further drive up prices. Meanwhile, higher costs for trucks may increase expenses in sectors that rely on shipping, from agriculture to retail. Trump says he aims to protect national security and create jobs at home, but for now, many households and businesses are bracing for higher costs.