U.S. - The United States’ Department of Commerce announced last Thursday, August 8, the imposition of tariffs on USD 4.4 billion for imports of kitchen and bathroom furniture produced in China.

The United States government, which took this measure following a complaint from the kitchen cabinet manufacturers organization (AKCA), estimated that wooden furniture made in China is exported at a low price to the United States because it benefits from Government subsidies.

“Today's determination gives the American kitchen cabinet industry the hope it needs in our fight against China's unfair business practices,” said Stephen Wellborn, director of product development and research at Wellborn Cabinet and a member of AKCA. “Americans deserve to know that we are on their side, fighting for their right to work that has been extended for generations with a true American tradition of ‘Made in the USA’ cabinets. With more than 250,000 American jobs on the line, this is a general positive determination for the American people, and I thank the Department of Commerce for its decision.”

The Department of Commerce estimates that Chinese exporters of this type of furniture get state aid between 10.97 percent and 229.24 percent of its value.

This decision comes to light a week after Washington announced that it will impose new tariffs on USD 300 billion in goods imported from China as of September 1.