by It’s understandable that many in our industry are feeling uneasy about the latest tariff measures. Change of this magnitude never comes without disruption. But the sky is not falling — there are constructive reasons behind these moves, and early signs suggest they are already making a difference.
Yes, the constant change has made retail merchandising and marketing a nightmare for many, but, maybe the temporary pain will likely be worth it.
For decades, the balance of trade in furniture has been wildly unfair to the U.S. Countries have built their industries around low-cost production, subsidies and in some cases, practices that undercut American manufacturers. Tariffs are a blunt instrument, yes, but they are also one of the few tools available to level the playing field.
Just as importantly, many companies have gamed the system for years — routing goods through third countries to skirt existing tariffs. That’s not free trade, that’s cheating. If the current initiative brings more scrutiny to these practices, it will protect the retailers, suppliers and workers who are trying to compete honestly.
And while some claim no jobs will return, the facts show otherwise. Universal Furniture is building an 800,000-square-foot upholstery facility in North Carolina. RH has doubled domestic upholstery output and expects more than half of its line to be made here. Craftmaster has reopened a shuttered plant, bringing back jobs. Vaughan-Bassett has pledged to expand U.S. production without immediate price hikes. These are not signs of collapse — they are signs of adaptation and renewal.
Another factor often overlooked is the growing push by offshore manufacturers to move directly into U.S. retail. This bypasses domestic suppliers and retailers, cutting out the very partners who built the American market. It’s one thing to compete on imports, but when foreign producers start controlling both production and the retail channel, it undermines the entire ecosystem — from small family-owned stores to established regional chains. This, too, must be addressed if we are serious about preserving fair competition. Protecting U.S. jobs isn’t just about tariffs at the border — it’s about ensuring the supply chain and retail landscape remain balanced and not dominated by foreign ownership.
Even some well-known economists have begun to pivot on tariffs. Gad Levanon, chief economist at Burning Glass Institute, recently argued that critics may have “gotten the Trump tariffs all wrong,” noting they could help revive U.S. manufacturing and support the economy in the long term. Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate and longtime free-trade advocate, has acknowledged that unregulated global trade can be damaging and has called for stronger trade interventions to protect domestic industries.
And while the broader profession has been skeptical, a growing number now concede that tariffs have played a role in reshoring supply chains and reducing overreliance on China, especially in sectors like steel, semiconductors, and even furniture.
Will prices rise in the short term? Yes. But the bigger picture is about jobs and security. A country that produces nothing for itself is dangerously dependent. If we can bring even a fraction of those jobs back to places like North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi and beyond, the long-term benefit to our economy and our communities will outweigh the pain of the transition.
The furniture industry has always adapted, and it will again. The question isn’t whether tariffs will magically solve everything — it’s whether we allow unfair trade to go unchecked, or take bold action to protect the backbone of American manufacturing for the future.
Guest columnist Tom Liddell is senior vice president of furniture liquidation specialist Planned Furniture Promotions.
