Concerns Over Unfair Trade Practices in Alabama
Recently, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville expressed strong concerns regarding unfair trade practices that are negatively impacting thousands of residents in Alabama. He remarked, “This is a war. Like other domestic industries, China is weakening our cabinet business and essentially cutting our throats.” Tuberville, a champion for manufacturing employment in Alabama, noted, “President Trump understands business and manufacturing, and that’s why he addresses unfair trade issues.”
It’s commendable to see Senator Tuberville along with Congressional and industry leaders working to protect the vital domestic manufacturing sector, which plays a critical role in employing Alabamians. Wellborn Cabinet Co., based in Ashland, Alabama, serves as the city’s largest employer, with a workforce of 1,400 amid a local population of just under 2,000. The potential closure of operations would significantly devastate the community of Ashland.
When my father, Paul Wellborn, and his brother founded this company 60 years ago, they dedicated themselves to building a strong business and a team devoted to crafting quality American-made cabinets. Our employees are truly our backbone, and we strive to offer them as many benefits as we can, including healthcare, daycare, and subsidized meals. Yet, when we talk to our dedicated American workers, they voice concerns about the influx of foreign cabinet imports that endanger our jobs.
In April 2020, both the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission found significant challenges faced by the U.S. kitchen cabinet industry due to an increase in subsidies from China. To address this, strong tariffs targeting China were imposed, which appeared effective initially. However, the Chinese Communist Party has since started routing cabinet products through other countries to evade these tariffs. As Tuberville pointed out, “China has been tricking the system by moving cabinets into this country through places like Cambodia, Mexico, Vietnam, and Indonesia.” These international competitors benefit from government subsidies, improperly sourced timber, and tactics to evade U.S. tariffs.
In recent months, thousands of cabinet-making jobs have been lost across various states, including Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kansas, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, and Alabama. At Wellborn, production dropped from 16,000 cabinets a week to just 10,000, and the workforce has shrunk from over 2,200 employees to below 1,400.
In response to these issues, President Trump initiated an investigation in March 2025 under Section 232 regarding the importation of related products like wood and cabinetry. The investigation aims to curb unfair trade practices, particularly the influx of foreign-made cabinets into the U.S. market.
“President Trump is strategically using tariffs,” said Tuberville. Together with Senator Katie Britt and other Congressional members, Tuberville is urging the president to impose a hefty 100% tariff on cabinet imports to protect over 5,000 jobs in Alabama. It’s crucial that there are zero exemptions or loopholes for foreign entities trying to exploit the system.
The U.S. cabinet industry has enough capacity to manufacture domestically. We don’t need a repeat; we simply need the fraud to cease. Alabamians can compete on a global scale, but that requires a level playing field.
Senator Tuberville stated, “Thousands of Alabama cabinet workers and their families need strong enforcement of Section 232 tariffs. The domestic cabinet industry supports 250,000 jobs nationwide, with 5,000 in Alabama alone.” So, there’s a call for action here. It’s essential for you to reach out to your legislators, pushing for collaborative efforts to safeguard those jobs and potentially usher in a new golden era for American cabinet manufacturing.
We have the opportunity to make Alabama great again by supporting President Trump in his push to protect the U.S. domestic cabinet industry with a 100% tariff rate on all foreign cabinet imports.
