Wall Street Journal Slams Trump Over Furniture Tariff Rollback — “Another Tariff Retreat”

The Wall Street Journal, owned by Rupert Murdoch, sharply criticized President Trump after the White House delayed and reduced tariffs targeting the U.S. furniture industry. In a New Year’s Day editorial headlined "Another Trump Tariff Retreat," the conservative-leaning paper framed the move as yet another reversal that undercuts the administration’s stated rationale and eases price pressure on American consumers.

What the Journal Said

The editorial mocked the administration’s national-security justification for the earlier, higher duties, writing that although the tariffs were defended as a security measure, the threat now seems overstated. "Mr. Trump had imposed the higher tariff in the name of national security, but apparently the killer love seats aren’t as dangerous as advertised," the Journal wrote, quipping that shoppers need not fear an "assault from a foreign spy" when buying a couch.

Trump announced sweeping tariffs on nearly every country earlier this year, but has rolled back most of them. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

The Policy Change

The White House announcement reduces planned tariffs on furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities from 50% to 30% and pushes the effective date to 2027 instead of Jan. 1, 2026. The editorial described the rollback as part of "a string of policy reversals to mute the tariff harm to American consumers."

Political And Economic Context

The Journal linked the reversal to growing affordability concerns in the U.S. and weakening consumer sentiment. It cited a December poll by the Daily Mail reporting that 48% of voters said they feel worse off since Mr. Trump returned to office; 36% said the cost of living was "much more" unaffordable and another 12% said it was "a little" more unaffordable.

Donald Trump has cracked down on illegal immigration since returning to the White House last January. / Nic Antaya / Getty Images

The editorial also noted past carve-outs and adjustments in the broader tariff program — including exceptions for Chinese-made smartphones and other consumer electronics — and said earlier tariffs had prompted relief measures for producers of bananas, coffee, beef and other farm products as prices rose.

"You'd think the tariff cheerleaders would be embarrassed by these walkbacks, but they ignore them as they promise that the tariff golden age will soon arrive," the Journal concluded, adding a political jibe that shoppers hoping for cheaper sofas will have to wait until after the November election.

Broader Narrative

Critics have seized on repeated reversals in Mr. Trump’s second presidency, dubbing him "TACO" (Trump Always Chickens Out). During his 2024 campaign he promoted tariffs as a revenue source for priorities ranging from child care to debt reduction and tax cuts, even calling the word "tariff" "the most beautiful word to me in the dictionary."

While the editorial is sharply critical, the change in tariff timing and rate will likely ease near-term price pressures for consumers while keeping tariffs in place at a lower rate. Observers will watch whether further adjustments follow as political and economic pressures evolve.