In a move that will raise housing costs, the US Commerce Department today imposed a 10% tariff on all timber and lumber imports and an additional 25% tariff on kitchen cabinets and furniture after announcing that it found that imports of these materials and products pose a national security risk. The tariffs go into effect on Oct. 14. The tariffs on furniture products are slated to rise to 30% and kitchen cabinets to 50%. “These new tariffs will create additional headwinds for an already challenged housing market by further raising construction and renovation costs,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes. …While the 10% tax rate on lumber and timber will put upward pressure on construction costs, it is significantly lower than other Section 232 tariffs. …US sawmills are operating at just 64% of their potential capacity, a figure that has dropped steadily since 2017. It will take years until domestic lumber production ramps up to meet the needs of our citizens. 

• Related coverage in The Hill: Trump sets 10 percent tariffs on lumber imports, 25 percent on cabinets, furniture