New tariffs on timber and furniture introduced by US President Donald Trump go into force on Tuesday in a move likely to make building a home in the US even more expensive.

The White House says the duties are being imposed to boost US industries and protect national security.

What are the tariffs?

As of Tuesday, imports of softwood lumber to the US will face duties of 10%, and some upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets will be hit by tariffs of 25%.

Some tariffs are set to rise next year from January 1, when the levy on imports of upholstered furniture goes up to 30% and that for kitchen cabinets and vanities to 50%.

Some trading partners that have struck deals with the Trump administration, however, will not be affected as badly by the second rise.

Wood products from the UK will thus not face tariffs of more than 10% and there is a 15% cap on those from the European Union and Japan.

Who will be most affected?

Canada, which is the main supplier of lumber to the US, will be particularly hard hit, as the country is already facing 35% in anti-dumping and countervailing duties, meaning that the new tariff brings levies on Canadian lumber to 45%.

Vietnam, Mexico and China will also face a major impact from the tariffs as major exporters of furniture to the US.

Experts say the new tariffs will push up construction costs, making things even more challenging for homebuyers on an already difficult market.

Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has caused considerable turmoil on world markets by imposing seemingly arbitrary tariffs on a number of imported goods, including metals and cars, arguing that the US has too long been the victim of unfair trade practices by other countries.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn