DHA eNews - China's Tale Of Two Countries: Tariffs On Logs From The U.S. Vs. Australia
China will extend tariff exemptions on U.S. hardwood logs and lumber as well as 64 other U.S. products at least through September 16, 2021. U.S. hardwood logs and lumber were the only agricultural product on this list.
Australia's log exports fell 9.5% in January as the Chinese ban on their log imports continued to impact the industry. The results would have been even lower had it not been for a significant increase in Australia's log shipments to India.
The Department of Commerce published the names of 55 Chinese hardwood plywood manufacturers and about 50 Chinese wooden bedroom furniture producers that will be included in the annual audit of antidumping duties. Commerce will decide if there is any reason to change the duties for these companies beyond the initial cash deposit rates for shipments made in 2020.
In 2020, Canada's share of U.S. lumber imports declined. EU sources have filled the void.
Recent COVID-19 news that impacts our industry includes:
- House passes bill to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Next, the bill goes to the Senate
- COVID-19 update: The U.S. economy is back in growth mode, experts say
- How the COVID-19 vaccine may help spur the residential real estate market
- Most small businesses won't require employees to get vaccinated
- More coronavirus humor
See the DHA coronavirus news and resources pages for more.
Mark your calendars to brush off the COVID-19 blues and join your industry peers at the Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head, SC from September 7-9! The room rates are lower, too.
Capital Testing (formerly HPVA Laboratories®) has expanded its line of physical testing services: the experienced technicians will evaluate your flooring, textiles, wood products, and more for scratch or pilling resistance using a state-of-the-art James Heal Martindale abrasion tester. Contact Capital Testing for a quote.
Indonesia's rate of deforestation reached a record low last year, a decline of 75% to an area about equal in size to Los Angeles. The government attributed this to regulations that prohibit the clearing of forests.
The Federal Forest Resource Coalition cited the 2020 firestorm that destroyed 4.9 million acres of national forestland and the current housing affordability crisis as opportunities to create a win-win solution. More active management of our national forests, including timber harvest, can help address both crises.
In Washington state last September, about 600,000 acres of forests burned in 72 hours. Now, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Commissioner has asked the legislature to dedicate $125 million for fire response.
As part of its greening program, China planted 6.77 million hectares (16.73 million acres) of forest in 2020. That's an area equivalent to the state of West Virginia.
New University of Minnesota research shows a possible path in controlling the emerald ash borer: some fungi that live in borer-infested trees attack the pest - and other insects. The fungi are now being evaluated for their potential for biocontrol.
Meanwhile, a species of Formosan subterranean super termites has been found in trees in South Florida. Over the past eight years, these voracious predators have been attacking not only dead trees but also some of the state's oldest and largest living trees.
In Brazil, the vast majority of deforestation is due to illegal logging. The harvesting of palm oil from deforested land in Indonesia and Malaysia contributes roughly 1.4% of global net carbon dioxide emissions every year. A U.S. Senator has introduced a bill designed to change this.
Limited freight capacity and closures throughout Europe and the U.S. have caused shortages of the raw materials necessary for producing adhesives. This has been compounded by the severe weather in the South which led to the loss of significant refinery and chemical production capacities.
For the past ten years, a global advocacy group has directly contacted companies that made misleading environmental statements described as greenwashing. As a result, a total of 710 companies have removed misleading greenwashing statements since the anti-greenwashing campaign began.
A pilot project by a forest management company and a robotics firm is expected to create new jobs while addressing the severe shortage of logging truck drivers.
Which countries have no forests? Hint: There are three.