On 31 July 2026, Canada introduced a provisional 25% safeguard surtax on certain imports of wood cabinets, bathroom vanities and related subassemblies. The measure applies for up to 200 days while the Canadian International Trade Tribunal investigates whether increased imports are causing or threatening serious injury to Canadian producers.
Ahead of the EU–Canada Summit on 29–30 October 2026, EFIC published a position paper setting out the European furniture industry’s concerns regarding the measure. EFIC considers that the surtax imposes an unjustified and disproportionate burden on European exporters and their Canadian commercial partners.
European furniture exports to Canada under the product codes concerned reached €189.4 million in 2025. Although this represented an increase of 8% compared with 2024, the value remained 15% below its 2022 level. EFIC therefore stresses that the latest annual increase should not be viewed in isolation as evidence of sustained import growth. The figures also differ considerably between individual EU Member States and product categories.
European exports primarily serve specialised, high-value market segments based on quality, design, innovation and customised solutions. They respond to specific demand, complement Canadian manufacturing and support a wider network of Canadian importers, distributors, showrooms, designers and installation companies. A significant share is also supplied to residential, contract and hospitality projects.
The provisional surtax risks increasing costs, reducing consumer choice, delaying or cancelling existing orders and damaging commercial relationships developed over many years. Its effects could therefore extend beyond European manufacturers to Canadian investors, developers, designers, installers, technicians and consumers.
EFIC calls on the European Commission to raise these concerns with its Canadian counterparts and request a dedicated assessment and exemption for European exports within the Canadian International Trade Tribunal inquiry. Applying a blanket safeguard to high-value European products would risk undermining the EU–Canada economic partnership and the resilient supply chains promoted under CETA.