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On September 29, President Trump announced the long-awaited Section 232 tariffs on wood products. Despite DHA's advocacy for tariffs on hardwood plywood, engineered wood flooring, and hardwood veneer imports, these products were not included in the first round. But, the announcement includes a procedure for adding more wood products.

DHA has ramped up our advocacy to get our products included, sending a direct communication to President Trump and publicizing this in the press. Roseburg's recent closing of its hardwood plywood mill is another wake-up call that underscores the need for tariffs to prevent dumped and subsidized plywood from Asia, whose underpriced plywood dominates with 80% of the U.S. market. Dumped, subsidized plywood from Asia has been killing U.S. manufacturing facilities and eliminating thousands of jobs in rural communities around the country. It’s some comfort that the reciprocal tariffs now apply to these products, but the rates are not high enough to level the playing field, and these reciprocal tariffs could go away with the upcoming Supreme Court decision.

If you have questions or comments, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Keith A. Christman, President