DHA eNews – EUDR “Simplification” Fails To Simplify
Last week, DHA members and guests gathered in Asheville, NC, for our 2026 Annual Meeting. I really enjoyed reconnecting with members and hearing from so many of you. Despite challenges from dumped and subsidized imports of competing products from Asia, our industry remains strong and vibrant, helping to sustainably manage American forests and provide jobs in rural parts of our country.
While our meeting may be over, you can always contact me to share your thoughts on the opportunities and challenges facing our industry. We'll convene again next May: save the date for our 2027 Annual Meeting, May 4–6, 2027, at La Quinta Resort and Spa in California.
Please welcome our newest member, Garnica USA.
If you have questions or comments, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Keith A. Christman, President
Last week, DHA held its 2026 Annual Meeting in Asheville, NC. Speakers at the meeting shared their insights and expertise on economic trends, trade policy and litigation, the U.S. cabinet industry, design, and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and pathways to compliance. If you're a DHA member and could not attend the meeting, contact us for copies of the presentations.
Last week, DHA members elected new Board leadership, including Vijay Reddy as Chairman (Danzer), Ted Downs as Vice Chair (States Industries); Division Vice Presidents Daniel Pacheco (Commonwealth Plywood), John Varner (Moehring Group), and Paul Davis (Columbia Forest Products); and at-large Board Members Reid Freeman (Freeman Veneers), Matt Smith (Manthei Wood Products), and Ben Miller (Miller Veneer).
Mark your calendars: save the date for our 2027 Annual Meeting, May 4-6, 2027, at La Quinta Resort and Spa near Palm Springs. This meeting will be an excellent opportunity to connect with your customers, suppliers, and peers. We'll have a full roster of expert speakers who will address the issues critical to our industry in 2027 and beyond.
DHA joined the Coalition for a Prosperous America to urge the House Judiciary Committee to schedule a markup of the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act. The legislation is designed to strengthen enforcement of U.S. trade laws and help combat tariff evasion and customs fraud, including transshipment, undervaluation, and misclassification of imported goods.
On May 3, the European Commission published its much-anticipated simplification document for the EU Deforestation Regulation. Despite the best efforts of a united U.S. forest products industry, including the Hardwood Federation and American Hardwood Export Council, minimal changes were made to the existing rule for the U.S. supply chain. Our primary concern, the definition of "plot of land," was not addressed.
On May 7, a federal trade court struck down the round of tariffs imposed by President Trump to replace import taxes that the Supreme Court struck down earlier this year. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade issued a permanent injunction blocking the 10% tariff Trump placed on nearly all U.S. imports in February.
In March, U.S. imports of hardwood plywood fell by 2% to 172,579 cubic meters, the lowest level since April 2023 and less than half the amount imported last March. Imports from Indonesia dropped by 47% in March and 62% in Q1; imports from Vietnam fell by 29% in March and 45% in Q1. Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duties and investigations into Indonesia and Vietnam went into effect in Q1.
U.S. furniture manufacturer Bassett Furniture planted its 250,000th tree to celebrate reaching a sustainability milestone and to highlight its continued investment in Appalachian hardwood resources and U.S. manufacturing. The company's annual BenchMade Arbor Day event also recognized the U.S.'s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The experts behind the Kitchen and Bath Market Index expect category revenue to grow about 3.6% this year. Luxury projects continue to drive growth despite consumer uncertainty, rising material costs, tariffs, and labor shortages.
Although existing home sales have been slow, mortgage rates remain relatively high, and consumers are cautious about spending on big-ticket items, consumers have continued to invest in their homes. They haven't stopped spending - they're just investing differently. Data shows that homeowners have been spending more on home projects as well as completing more projects.
Capital Testing, an IAS-accredited laboratory, supports manufacturers in the U.S. and around the world with a full line of physical and mechanical testing for composite wood panels, engineered wood flooring, kitchen cabinets, and more. Contact Capital Testing to learn more, schedule a test, or request a quote.
The U.S. Forest Service will invest more than $80 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to support 15 congressionally approved Forest Legacy projects this year. These projects will permanently conserve more than 34,000 acres of privately owned working forests.
A new study shows that every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves about $3.75 in wildfire damages. The study of nearly 300 fires in the West estimated that forest thinning and prescribed burns prevented about $2.8 billion in losses while reducing wildfire spread and severity.
How did North Carolina's Cradle of Forestry shape U.S. forestry? If you were with us at the DHA Annual Meeting, you'll know this answer.