HIGH POINT, N.C. (WTVD) — Furniture business owners say they’re optimistic that new tariffs on foreign furniture could spark a renaissance of North Carolina’s furniture industry.
President Trump announced on Monday that 30% tariffs on foreign-made upholstered furniture would go into effect on October 1. Mr. Trump specifically mentioned how he felt the tariffs would make North Carolina “great again”.
Business owners in the Furniture Capital of the World, High Point, say they have hope that the tariffs could revitalize the industry that has faced challenges in recent years.
Chris Morris is the president of Vision Contract Manufacturing in High Point. His company builds furniture for a number of industries – from healthcare facilities, to hotels, and residential properties.
He says the furniture industry in the Triad faced major issues once companies began outsourcing their manufacturing overseas.
“I grew up here in the furniture industry starting in ’91 when we had furniture factories on every single street,” he said. “And I also saw everything evaporate.”
He feels the tariffs level the playing field for manufacturers like him.
“They were making furniture in Poland, now they’re making it here,” he said. “The tariffs they level the playing field for us.”
Data from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina shows just how important furniture manufacturing is for the Tar Heel state.
Morris says more jobs could be on the way, too.
“We’re expecting 25 to 30 more jobs over the next six months if it all comes back here,” he said. “We’re expecting a big growth jump.”
He also says the tariffs have already gotten his company’s attention from overseas businesses.
“I have a Chinese company, a Taiwanese company and a Vietnamese company asking us to start manufacturing for them here, inquiring,” he said. “I think we’re going to be more of a global manufacturer.”
ABC11 News reached out to Gov. Josh Stein for his input on the potential impact the tariffs could have on the furniture industry. His office has not returned the request for comment nor an interview.
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