How tariffs could make American-made furniture 'more competitive'

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The commercialized warfare betwixt the U.S. and China is intensifying, and it whitethorn person immoderate looking for goods made and sourced close present successful the United States.

Friday marked the latest escalation successful the slugfest, with China retaliating to the latest circular of tariffs handed down by the Trump administration.

"We haven't seen immoderate signs of anybody backing down. The U.S. imposed tariffs connected China arsenic precocious arsenic 145% connected Chinese goods. China retaliated with 125% connected U.S. imports. It's hard to spot astatine this aboriginal signifier who's going to blink first," said Brian Ullmann with Ford Financial Group successful Fresno.

As astir apt know, China is simply a main shaper of galore of the goods radical bargain stateside. Everything from apparel to car parts and furniture, each apt to get much costly soon if the tariffs basal successful spot successful the agelong term.

Now, Lou Rodman, proprietor of Lou Rodman's Patio, Barstools, & Amish Emporium successful Fresno, specializing successful U.S.-made furniture, says helium hopes it leads much buyers to them.

"That's what we anticipation to see. I mean that's the goal, is to marque it much competitory for American builders," helium said.

His store is apt 1 radical person astir apt seen astatine El Paso Avenue adjacent River Park. Or astatine the precise least, done his advertisements, including the newest TV advertisement with their neighbour and selling spouse Fashion Furniture, promising "tariff-free furniture."

"It's ever been that way. It's not thing we conscionable started with this caller tariff issue. For implicit 20 years, astir everything successful the store is American-made," Rodman said.

When customers participate his store, they tin spot an water of woody customized pieces made mostly by Amish builders from Ohio and Indiana, arsenic good arsenic patio furnishings made from companies crossed the country. He says to beryllium exact, 90% of what they merchantability is sourced and made stateside.

Though it whitethorn outgo more, adjacent with tariffs, the anticipation is that it closes the spread capable to crook much towards American-made.

"With the imported products coming up successful price, there's not going to beryllium arsenic overmuch of a quality betwixt this high-quality customized American-made furnishings and thing that would travel from overseas with a clump of tariffs," said Rodman.