Furniture tariffs take effect as consumers and businesses share costs

The Trump administration's new tariffs on imported furniture, kitchen cabinets and other housewares, along with lumber, took effect Tuesday, added costs that economists say could push up prices for consumers .

Mr. Trump announced the trade measures on Sept. 29, saying the levies are intended to prevent such products manufactured abroad from "flooding" the U.S.

"It is a very unfair practice, but we must protect, for National Security and other reasons, our Manufacturing process," Mr. Trump wrote on social media at the time.

The levies on imported wood products and furniture range from 10% to 50%.

Although Trump administration officials maintain that tariffs are largely paid by overseas exporters, most economists say Americans bear the brunt of the additional costs.

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