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Russia's tragic war in Ukraine and its impact on the hardwood products industry and trade dominate this week's headlines. As previously reported, Russia was the third-largest source of U.S. hardwood plywood imports in 2021, exceeding 567 million square feet worth more than $334 million. In addition, more than 653 million square feet of birch plywood was imported from Vietnam last year—much of it using birch from Russia. Long‑lasting trade impacts could result from legislation passed last week in the U.S.

In addition to the tragic humanitarian impact, the Russian invasion of Ukraine will impact the decorative hardwoods industry. In 2021, Russia was the third-largest source of U.S. hardwood plywood imports, with a total volume of more than 567 million square feet worth more than $334 million. Elimination of these imports could create opportunities for competing manufacturers. For those who import Russian birch cores for further processing, it is likely to create sourcing challenges. PEFC and FSC have labeled wood from Russia and Belarus as "…

Last week, our association commended Congress for moving forward with legislation to address China's abusive trade practices and asked Congress to include important new measures to improve trade enforcement in the final legislation.

Legislation to support fair trade was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, supported by coalitions including several DHA plywood and engineered wood flooring members.

At the 97th Annual Meeting, the Decorative Hardwoods Association® elected new board members.

Wave Oglesby of Columbia Forest Products and Jeremy Manthei of Manthei Veneer were elected chairman and vice-chairman of the board of directors.

New board members include David Williams, Great Lakes Veneer, Don Tomaszewski, Besse Forest Products, and Doug Johnson, States Industries. Garret Keil of Murphy Plywood assumes the vice presidency of the hardwood plywood division and Herb Upton of Shaw the vice presidency of…