Newest tariffs on wood force furniture suppliers to shift gears for domestic expenses

SEWARD, Neb. (KLKN) – For one family-owned furniture store in Seward, the new U.S. wood tariffs announced on Tuesday will cause them to change how they do business immediately.

Trish Davisson Johnson’s family has owned and operated Davisson furniture business since 1938, and she says each year brought with it more furniture components being shipped in from abroad.

In light of the new tariffs adding a 25% tax to imported wooden furniture parts, she is aware this will most likely bolster domestic sales.

However, she is most concerned about the immediate affects the tariffs will bring.

“This should have been done in the 1960’s when we saw our factories going abroad,” said Davisson Johnson, who adds that the process of getting those factories back on U.S. soil will require citizens to pay the price.

“We have tried to bolster inventory so that the initial hit won’t affect us as much,” she said, explaining that they have been stocking up on cabinets from Canada for a few months now.

Davisson Johnson has also ordered inventory from American companies as well, from states such as Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

“That will pick up some of the slack and they are eager and willing to do it,” she said, “But the question is, will the American public pay the price.”

She says that many people and businesses are still recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic and facing the shortfalls from those tariffs will be difficult.

“I would like this to be addressed at a time when America is prospering,” said Davisson Johnson, “I don’t see that stability at this point. I would’ve liked several more years, taking care of our own products in the US and then attack abroad”.

She says she will continue to move forward despite seeing an increase in shipping times from manufactures on both the east and west coasts, and limits placed on how many items can be ordered from companies here in the Midwest.

Davisson Johnson said with confidence that ultimately, the tariffs will benefit Americans as long as “We’ll support each other.”