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The top agenda item in Washington these days is funding the federal government for 2026 and preventing a government shutdown when funding runs out at the end of this month. A shutdown became much more likely when Democrats failed to provide votes for a clean continuing resolution that would fund the government at existing levels. Sixty votes are needed in the Senate to pass the legislation. Democrats are pushing for an additional $1 trillion in healthcare spending as a condition for keeping the government open.

Tariff discussions and litigation continue to dominate the news. President Trump's reciprocal tariffs were ruled unlawful by a U.S. appeals court. This tees up the issue to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

I hope you all are enjoying some vacation time as summer comes to a close and Congress is on recess. This presents an opportunity to reflect on the year so far and the dramatic changes to the decorative hardwoods industry and the U.S. economy.

Trade has been a huge part of those changes. From the trade cases filed against China, Vietnam, and Indonesia to the national security review of wood product imports—with decisions to be announced soon, expect major changes in trade from now through the end of the year.…

As the Trump administration finalized its reciprocal tariffs last week, DHA discussed recent developments in wood trade and hardwood plywood antidumping and countervailing duties cases with Floor Daily.

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.