Trump imposes new wood tariffs with higher rates if no deal

President Donald Trump on Monday issued a presidential proclamation imposing new tariffs on imported wood products, including a 10 percent duty on softwood timber and lumber and a 25 percent levy on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and certain upholstered wooden furniture, effective Oct. 14. The proclamation also sets higher rates to take effect Jan. 1 if countries do not reach agreements with the United States: duties on cabinets and vanities would rise to 50 percent and levies on upholstered wooden products would increase to 30 percent.

The White House said the measures are intended to bolster domestic manufacturing, and the proclamation follows a Commerce Department review that, according to the president, found imports of wood products were occurring in volumes and under circumstances that threatened U.S. national security. The administration said the new duties are separate from, and in addition to, other tariffs already in place on certain wood goods, and that affected products are not covered by an earlier broad package of import duties announced in April.

The announcement drew immediate criticism from Canadian forestry groups and analysts, who warned the levies would...