The tariff suspension comes as President Trump’s Republican Party faces affordability issues ahead of the midterm elections.
Published January 1, 2026
Amid growing concerns about the cost of living, US President Donald Trump announced a one-year delay in imposing tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities.
President Trump signed an order Wednesday night during the New Year’s Eve holiday suspending a planned 50% tariff on cabinets and vanities and a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture.
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However, the executive order maintained the 25% tariff imposed on these products in September.
The U.S. president previously said the furniture tariffs were a measure to “strengthen American industry and protect our national security.”
Public opinion polls show that rising prices and the cost of living are a major concern for Americans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections scheduled for November.
Voters believe President Trump’s policies, particularly tariffs, are at least partly to blame for the economic woes. In a Politico poll released in December, 30% of respondents cited tariffs as the main reason for high prices, and 32% said President Trump bears “full responsibility” for the economic situation.
A majority of respondents cited the cost of living as the biggest issue facing the country, and 32% cited the state of the economy. Democratic politicians have tried to grill Mr. Trump and the Republican Party over affordability concerns, which Mr. Trump dismissed as a “hoax” perpetuated by his political opponents.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that the United States has also agreed to reduce proposed import duties on 13 companies’ pasta products.
Previously, the Trump administration had threatened to impose a 92% tariff on pasta companies on top of import taxes on European Union products.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has agreed to reduce the tax rate on two Italian food companies, La Morisana and Garofalo, to 2.26% and 13.98%, respectively, which the administration accused of oppressing other pasta producers with unfairly low prices.
Other companies will face a 9.09% tax rate.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The recalculation of tariffs shows that the U.S. authorities recognize the willingness of Japanese companies to cooperate constructively.”
