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The Commerce Department has released the long-awaited preliminary affirmative countervailing duty determination on hardwood and decorative plywood, after finding significant subsidies provided by the governments of China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This is an important step in the trade cases filed by the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood. Hopefully, this will dramatically reduce dumped and subsidized hardwood plywood imports and provide a level playing field for U.S. manufacturers.

Welcome to DHA’s first newsletter of 2026! 2026 is sure to be another year full of dramatic changes that will impact our industry. DHA will continue to advocate for our members, promote our products, and make sure our members are well-informed about changes that will affect their businesses.

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.