During a cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump emphasised that furniture-specific tariffs would help restore U.S. manufacturing jobs, particularly in North Carolina. He highlighted the state's skilled workforce, describing workers as "artists" capable of building fine, custom furniture, and argued that foreign competition, especially from China, had displaced these positions.
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Trump criticised previous administrations, claiming they had failed to protect domestic furniture manufacturers. He pledged that the new tariffs would "rebuild North Carolina furniture" quickly and restore lost industry employment.
Trump's remarks also impacted the stock market. Shares of major furniture retailers reliant on imports, including Wayfair, RH, and Williams-Sonoma, fell, while La-Z-Boy, which manufactures predominantly in the U.S., saw gains.
The president framed the tariffs as a measure to support craftsmanship and local manufacturing, asserting that the levies would have prevented job losses if implemented earlier. His comments underscore a broader push to protect domestic production and encourage reshoring within the furniture sector.
Source: www.homeaccentstoday.com
