by How this issue impacts furniture depends on the degree to which each country exports to the US
WASHINGTON — The latest tariff threat against European countries that oppose U.S. ownership of Greenland begs the question about what impact it will have on the U.S. furniture industry.
The eight countries President Trump threatened with 10% tariffs that could rise to 25% by June 1 are Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland.
While these countries ship some household furniture to the U.S., trade partners such as Italy, Germany and Poland represent far more exports than all of these countries combined, with nearly $2 billion in combined estimated shipments in 2024.
Asian manufacturing powerhouses such as Vietnam and China both shipped significantly more to the U.S. the same year, according to data from Mann, Armistead & Epperson. In 2024, Vietnam shipped $10.4 billion in wood furniture, upholstery, metal furniture and bedding to the U.S., while China shipped $9.6 billion to the U.S.
Other major exporters to the U.S. market from Asia include Indonesia, with $1.32 billion in shipments, and Malaysia, which had more than $1.1 billion in shipments in 2024.
The same year, India shipped $652.4 million in furniture to the U.S. market, while Thailand shipped $602.3 million and Taiwan had $597.4 million in shipments to the U.S.
Malaysia also ranked high on the list with more than $1.1 billion in shipments, up slightly from $1.08 billion in 2024.
By comparison, for example, Finland shipped about $50 million in furniture to the U.S., and Denmark shipped about $60 million by some estimates.
Of course, the issue of Greenland-related tariffs potentially impacts Sweden-based Ikea, which does a huge business in the U.S. with more than 50 locations and more planned for this year.
But consumers of the hugely popular home furnishings chain likely need not worry about the impact of tariffs on Sweden. Most of its furniture is sourced in other countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia and China as well as Poland, which has long had manufacturing expertise in the kind of RTA furniture that IKEA sells. Attempts to reach Ikea for this story were unsuccessful over the holiday weekend.
Of course, China is also subject to tariffs, including the threat of an additional 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran. Other furniture producing countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia are also already subject to rates of 20% and 19% respectively.
Ekornes, which produces some of its upholstery in Norway, as well as North Carolina, Eastern Europe and Asia, was unavailable for comment. Attempts to reach Danish lifestyle furniture brand BoConcept also were unsuccessful.
But we suspect that Ikea and other manufacturers in these European countries are as adept at managing their global sourcing as are manufacturers and importers in the U.S. As costs rise, they will merely shift to other lower-tariff or thus lower-cost countries, if they haven’t already.
For those that haven’t, tariffs on Vietnam and Malaysia will add to the costs, but the net impact could still be lower than manufacturing in their own respective countries, particularly given the threat of tariffs.
Much remains to be seen as to how the entire tariff issue will play out between now and June 1, much less whether the U.S. will be successful in its acquisition of Greenland. At this stage, most realize these are tough negotiating tactics the president has been using since the start of his second term to address a variety of issues.
Yet while the ongoing threat of tariffs will undoubtedly be disruptive to some in the short term, the industry has proven it is far too resilient to let the issue totally stop business in its tracks. With or without tariffs, which are ultimately paid by the consumer, we know there will always be a need for furniture now and in the future.
