President-elect Donald Trump has claimed that his strong support for American furniture makers has made him a “target on the international stage.” Speaking to an Iowa campaign rally in the days leading up to last week’s presidential election, Trump claimed that his support for US manufacturing, especially in the furniture industry, has led to animosity abroad.
“I’ve always fought for our great American workers, our manufacturers, our farmers. The furniture makers, our beautiful American furniture, I fought to keep them here. That’s why people in countries want to kill me.”
President-elect Donald Trump at an Iowa campaign rally in the lead up to last week’s presidential elections.
Wood Central understands Trump was referring to a series of tariffs and trade measures his administration took during his office to counter cheap imports from overseas, particularly from China. These measures, he argued, were designed to give US furniture makers a competitive edge, protect American jobs, and reduce dependency on foreign goods.
The focus on furniture manufacturing comes after it was revealed that the Armish, known for their aversion to government and elections, showed up in much larger-than-expected numbers and helped Trump flip the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania. The religious group, famous for its American hardwood timber furniture and commitment to a deeply conservative lifestyle, was a major boost for the campaign.
It comes as the 100,000-strong community emerged as a crucial block as Trump took back the state’s 19 electoral votes, which he lost in 2020 after the community was banned from selling unpasteurized milk.
- To learn more about the Amish and steps taken by the community to make the process of furniture manufacturing safer, click here for Wood Central’s special feature.
