US Imposes Section 232 Tariffs on Softwood Lumber and Wood Products

In a proclamation issued on Monday, September 29, President Trump imposed new tariffs on softwood lumber, timber, and other wood product imports after a federal investigation said rising imports pose a threat to US national security.

The move comes after a US Commerce Department investigation under Section 232—first initiated by the White House on March 1—concluded that rising imports were undermining US producers. The report cited mill closures, declining utilization of domestic capacity, and an increased reliance on foreign supply, warning that the trend could jeopardize the nation’s ability to meet defense and infrastructure needs.

Effective October 14, the new tariffs are:

• A 10% global tariff on imports of softwood lumber and timber.
• A 25% global tariff on certain upholstered furniture, increasing to 30% on January 1.
• A 25% global tariff on kitchen cabinets and vanities, increasing to 50% on January 1.

The new tariffs are in addition to any other duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges. Consequently, tariffs applied to imports of Canadian lumber will increase on October 14, as summarized in the table below.

The presidential proclamation is available here; an annex with specific modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) is available here; and a White House fact sheet with additional information is available here.