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With this final newsletter of 2025, I first want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and joyous New Year! 2025 has presented many changes, challenges, and opportunities in our industry. 2026 is sure to bring many more, as key issues including the hardwood plywood trade case against China, Indonesia, and Vietnam are decided. The Supreme Court is likely to rule on President Trump's reciprocal tariffs in the coming weeks, too.

With the federal government open again, activity has increased significantly. We recently received new data that continues to show a high and rapidly increasing volume of hardwood plywood imports flooding U.S. markets.

In addition, the Trump administration has taken several regulatory reform actions based, at least in part, on Supreme Court rulings. Not to be outdone, the EU may even be considering a simpler approach to the now‑delayed EU Deforestation Regulation.

The federal government shutdown has finally come to an end, lasting a record-setting 43 days and achieving, well, nothing. Flights, economic data, and paychecks for essential government workers were among the casualties of the shutdown.

Trade takes center stage again in Washington, D.C., and around the globe as President Trump reached several agreements with China and other nations in Asia. China's government has agreed to resume purchasing hardwood logs. On November 5, the Supreme Court will hear the case challenging reciprocal tariffs. DHA continues to work to influence trade policy by providing insights and context in our comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on foreign trade barriers and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement. …

As of today, the shutdown of the federal government continues, limiting activity here in Washington, DC, to those things considered essential. Fortunately, preventing wildfires and getting EPA out of the way of prescribed burns have passed the essential test, as have timber sales.

The Section 232 tariffs on cabinets and furniture kicked in on October 14. The U.S. cabinet industry could really use the help, with sales down by nearly 15% through August. Reports suggest that IKEA is looking to increase U.S. production…