NEWS

Trade takes center stage again in Washington, D.C., and around the globe as President Trump reached several agreements with China and other nations in Asia. China's government has agreed to resume purchasing hardwood logs. On November 5, the Supreme Court will hear the case challenging reciprocal tariffs. DHA continues to work to influence trade policy by providing insights and context in our comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on foreign trade barriers and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement. 

In regulatory actions, Europe is struggling with how to implement the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act continues to progress through Congress, an indication that the new law may help us better manage forests and prevent devastating wildfires even after the Trump administration has left office.

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

Keith A. Christman, President

On October 31, DHA provided official comments and analysis to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for use in the USTR's 2026 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. DHA highlighted how the flood of illegally dumped and subsidized imports from Asia now dominates 80% of the U.S. hardwood plywood market and how this has decimated U.S. manufacturers and workers.
 

On November 3, DHA responded to the USTR's request for input as it begins the process of updating the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement. DHA emphasized the close integration of U.S. and Canadian manufacturers in our industry while identifying opportunities for Canada to increase its enforcement of trade laws to prevent dumped and subsidized products from China and other Asian countries from entering U.S. markets.
 

Despite recent changes to the EU Deforestation Regulation by the European Commission, the majority of EU ambassadors are advocating that the European Commission delay enforcement of the EUDR for all companies, not just smaller businesses.
 

The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee has passed the Fix Our Forest Act. This is the next step in creating a law that will contribute to better forest management practices, reduce wildfires, and increase harvests on federal lands. The bill is a rare area of bipartisan agreement and support.
 

After a year of work, the U.S. Forest Service will go back to the drawing board to update the Northwest Forest Plan, which designates where logging can occur on 25 million acres of forests in Oregon, Washington, and northwest California.
 

The White House and the USTR have posted new agreements, fact sheets, and statements on Asia-Pacific trade deals, including reciprocal agreements—or frameworks for agreements— with China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia. China has agreed to restart imports of U.S. logs.
 

The Senate approved three resolutions that would rescind President Trump's authority to impose tariffs on foreign imports based on national security. This is unlikely to change policy, as House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the House will not vote on any measure like this. This week, however, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether Congress has delegated similar tariff powers to the President.
 

U.S. cabinet sales continue to decline. Sales volume fell by 13.4% year-to-date, and the dollar value of sales fell by more than 6%. The Trump administration imposed Section 232 tariffs on imports of cabinets, effective October 14.
 

"Durable, renewable and biodegradable, wood is an ideal material for everything from furniture to cutting boards. And as we grapple with the aftermath of synthetic materials, such as forever chemicals and microplastics, the humble material growing in our literal backyards is suddenly looking pretty appealing again. But how do you know it wasn’t clearcut from a rainforest?"
 

A plan created under the previous administration involved hiring hunters to kill barred owls, which are outcompeting protected spotted owls. Some Republican members of Congress joined animal rights activists to stop the hunt. Now, some timber companies have aligned with environmentalists who are in favor of killing the barred owls. Logging advocates are concerned that changing the plan will slow down timber harvesting, as the USDA would have to develop a different plan to protect the spotted owl.
 

In 2024, global tree cover loss due to fires reached an all-time high. Fires in tropical primary forests burned 370% more area than in 2023. According to the recently published 2025 State of the Climate Report, the total global tree cover lost in 2024 was more than 73 million acres. This is the second-highest loss on record.
 

Washington State boasts 22 million acres of forestland. The Department of Natural Resources manages about 3 million acres of that forestland, and of those, 545,000 acres of trees are now dead or dying. That's an area equivalent to more than 500,000 football fields.
 

Who were the winners of this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, the photo contest that funds conservation projects through laughter?