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The U.S. International Trade Commission, after voting to continue its investigation into U.S. imports of hardwood and decorative plywood from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, has issued its preliminary report. The USITC listed several important preliminary findings that support the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood.

Trade policy dominates the headlines again and the changes will impact the decorative hardwoods industry. On July 3, the U.S. International Trade Commission took an essential next step in the trade case brought by the Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood when the commissioners unanimously voted to continue investigation of hardwood plywood dumping by China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Although preliminary countervailing duty determinations are due on August 15, importers should not rush to import hardwood plywood…

Activity typically slows down in the summer as temperatures rise and people go on vacation. This year may be different, as the hardwood plywood industry filed important trade petitions, the Trump administration continues to work on a national security review of wood products, and the House, Senate, and White House work to head off a big tax increase and reduce spending. The hardwood plywood petitions took a large step forward recently when the U.S.

The future of the decorative hardwoods industry depends on clear leadership in the face of predatory trade practices from Asia, which will decimate our domestic industry and workers if not countered. On May 22, the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood provided key leadership by filing a petition for antidumping and countervailing duties to counter unfair trade practices by Indonesia, Vietnam, and China. The industry supports fair trade—but that's not what we see from China and its allies.

Last week, I had the great pleasure of meeting with members and hearing many expert speakers at DHA's 104th Annual Meeting. It's amazing to think that DHA has held that many annual meetings. I'm pleased and proud to help lead this great industry. I also had the pleasure of recognizing many long-term members who have led the industry for decades.