Trump expands tariffs to pharmaceuticals, cabinets, furniture and trucks

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday night announced broad new tariffs on imports, expanding his tariff policy to pharmaceuticals, kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, upholstered furniture and heavy trucks. The proposed rates are 100% on pharmaceutical drugs, 50% on cabinets and vanities, 30% on upholstered furniture and 25% on heavy trucks, with the tariffs set to take effect next Wednesday.

Trump argued the tariffs would protect U.S. industries, spur domestic production and boost the federal treasury. The plan continues his strategy of using tariffs to reshape supply chains rather than rely on open markets. Treasury data show customs duties collected by the federal government reached about $172 billion in the current fiscal year through Oct. 1, 2025, up 126% from the same period in 2024. Tariffs still account for a small share of federal revenue — under 4%.

Naturepedic, a mattress and furniture maker based near Cleveland, had planned to introduce an upscale upholstered headboard late this year or early in 2026. The company ships headboards from India and Vietnam, making it sensitive to tariffs on imported furniture. The tariff announcement has left Naturepedic and many other manufacturers weighing questions about timing, pricing and supply.

The chief growth officer of Naturepedic described the dilemma in practical terms: the team must decide whether to press ahead with the rollout, tolerate higher costs or drop the project altogether. If the rollout continues, the company must decide whether to absorb the tariff or pass the cost to customers.

Executives nationwide faced similar headaches as they calculated how the new duties would affect product lines, pricing and timing. In the furniture and cabinet space, the tariff plan comes on the heels of a broader Treasury review of wood products and an ongoing national-security probe that could lead to broader duties on lumber and other materials. A government report on whether wood imports threaten U.S. security is due Nov. 26 and could broaden the tariff regime.

Analysts noted that the tariff wave would likely hit builders and remodelers as well as end consumers. The cost of home furniture, cabinets, vanities and related building materials could rise, potentially slowing housing activity as households face higher upfront costs. The National Retail Federation warned that even modest price increases can disrupt retail planning and delivery timelines, complicating supply chains that have already been stressed by years of volatility.

Stock markets reaction to the tariff news was mixed but notable in pharmaceuticals. Shares of major drugmakers rose after the announcements, as investors anticipated that domestic expansion plans could be accelerated by policy shifts aimed at moving production back to the United States. Industry observers cautioned, however, that higher tariffs could ultimately increase prices for patients and reduce access to affordable medicines if costs are passed along by manufacturers or distributors.

From a policy perspective, the tariff strategy is part of a broader shift away from open-market norms toward a tariff-based approach intended to fortify U.S. industries and fund government programs. Proponents argue the measures pressure foreign competitors to invest in U.S. plants and jobs, while critics warn they risk triggering retaliatory steps and raising prices for American consumers and businesses.

The tariff move also highlights a continuing legal debate over executive authority. Two courts have found that President Trump exceeded his powers by invoking emergency authorities to justify tariff measures, leaving the administration with limited paths if courts ultimately block the policies. Some legal scholars note that the administration could lean on Section 232 investigations as a fallback, though the outcome remains uncertain as the Supreme Court weighs the case on appeal.

Industry voices now face the question of how quickly to adapt to a rapidly changing trade landscape, including whether renegotiations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be pressed in response to these tariffs. Analysts say the timing and scope of any concessions could influence future policy moves and the direction of U.S. trade talks.

For now, businesses are moving cautiously. While some executives see potential upside in reshoring production or expanding domestic manufacturing, others warn that the speed and breadth of the tariffs could create unpredictable costs for retailers, builders and households. As manufacturers reassess product portfolios and pricing strategies, the coming weeks are likely to bring more clarity on which lines stay, which are adjusted and which projects are postponed or canceled.