NC Newsline: “Whatley has voiced support for Trump’s tariff strategy.”
According to new reporting from NC Newsline, Michael Whatley’s reckless tariffs were top of mind at North Carolina’s Fall Furniture Market in High Point. As the trade war sends prices soaring, Whatley has called it “record setting in terms of […] effectiveness” and supports it “wholeheartedly.”
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NC Newsline: New furniture tariffs ripple through North Carolina’s High Point Market
Christine Zhu | October 29, 2025
- Like most wholesalers at the market, Fibre by Auskin is decidedly high-end. But even luxury goods like the bean bag are bearing the brunt of tariffs. Its manufacturer’s suggested retail price rose 37% this year, going from $1,320 to $1,814.
- Other products by the same company saw even steeper markups — sales executive Erin Dowd said a pillow went from $71 to $101, a 42% increase.
- “We managed to absorb as much of that as possible, but this year hit hard,” Dowd said. “I would say there’s not a day that goes by that somebody calls and they ask for a price and say, ‘Oh, that’s gone up.’”
- Tariffs specifically aimed at the furniture sector were front of mind at this fall’s market, which took place from Oct. 25 to 29.
- The North Carolina Democratic Party put out a press release on Monday saying “Whatley-backed” tariffs could raise furniture costs.
- This refers to Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chair who resigned from his position to launch a 2026 Senate bid against former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Whatley has voiced support for Trump’s tariff strategy.
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