Sen. Elizabeth Warren has issued a strong warning about a new wave of import tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, saying they will drive up the cost of building and furnishing homes at a time when affordability is already out of reach for many Americans.
“Housing is too expensive to build and too expensive to afford,” Warren wrote on X. “Donald Trump’s solution? Make it even MORE expensive with his chaotic tariffs. Americans can’t afford Donald Trump’s housing market.”
New Tariffs Set for 2026
The criticism came in response to a post from Peter Harrell, a former White House official, who detailed the range of new tariffs expected to hit in 2026.
“Next year, if you are building/renovating your house with imported products, your tariffs include: 10% on lumber, 50% on cabinets/vanities, 50% on steel nails, 50% on copper wire and pipes, 30% on new couches,” Harrell wrote.
He also flagged a separate policy change targeting the transportation industry: “And now the trucking company moving this stuff pays 25% [on] new trucks.
Truck Tariffs Add to Construction Costs
That 25% tariff on imported medium and heavy-duty trucks was announced by Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social.
The statement read, “Beginning November 1st, 2025, all Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks coming into the United States from other Countries will be Tariffed at the Rate of 25%. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Industry Voices Concern Over Ripple Effects
Industry professionals are already voicing concern.
The New York Times reported that the tariffs include a 50% tax on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, along with a 30% tariff on imported upholstered furniture.
These measures are set to take effect on Oct. 1, 2025.
John Buscarello, a longtime interior design instructor in New York, told the Times that the tariffs could ripple through the entire homebuilding sector.
“A 50 percent tariff on high-end cabinets is going to be crazy,” he said, warning of a “cascading effect” that could reach plumbers, electricians, and contractors if homeowners begin postponing projects due to cost.
Designers Say U.S. Alternatives Can’t Compete
Katie Crook, owner of Heritage Cabinetry and Design in California, called the targeted tariffs “comically nonsensical,” noting they hit just as demand for imported furnishings is growing.
She said European-made cabinets, which are prized for their quality and modern design, can’t easily be replicated by U.S. manufacturers.
Mixed Outlook for Domestic Manufacturers
The National Kitchen and Bath Association, which represents 55,000 industry professionals, acknowledged the disruption but remained optimistic.
“One thing is certain: The NKBA’s 55,000 members are resilient,” said its president, Bill Darcy.
While some domestic producers, like Boston-based designer Katie Rosenfeld, expect a possible boost in business, the broader industry outlook is uncertain.
Rising material and transportation costs could worsen the affordability crisis, especially for Americans already priced out of homeownership or struggling to renovate.
Critics Say Tariffs Will Worsen Housing Shortage
With the housing market already stretched by high interest rates and limited inventory, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other critics say these new tariffs could make things worse by adding yet another layer of costs to an already expensive process.
By raising prices on essential materials like lumber, cabinets, and copper wiring, as well as increasing costs for transportation, these tariffs could make both new construction and renovation projects harder to afford.
That, in turn, could result in delays, cancellations, or scaled-back building efforts, further tightening the already limited housing stock.
IMAGE CREDIT: “Elizabeth Warren” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.