DHA eNews - U.S. International Trade Commission Issues Final Report On Hardwood Plywood
The U.S. International Trade Commission recently published its final report documenting its determination that dumped and subsidized hardwood and decorative plywood from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam is harming U.S. manufacturers and workers. This clears the way for the Department of Commerce to impose the final duties.
We are pleased to see Canada taking action to halt the flood of dumped imports from China. The Canadian government fumbled a previous case against China. We are also seeing improved enforcement, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently seized an illegal shipment of more than 8,500 sheets of falcata plywood produced in China.
If you have questions or comments, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Keith A. Christman, President
On August 19, the U.S. International Trade Commission determined that the U.S. industry is materially injured by imports of hardwood and decorative plywood from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Now, the official report has been published. Next, the Department of Commerce will impose final duties.
On August 24, the Canada Border Services Agency issued its preliminary determinations as part of the ongoing dumping and subsidy investigations into decorative plywood imported from China. As a result, more than 70% of imports of Chinese plywood are now subject to the 227.5% provisional duty.
On August 27, U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Baltimore seized a shipment of more than 8,500 sheets of falcata plywood, worth about $142,000, that was imported using a stolen identity and undervalued on the customs declaration. The source was listed as Indonesia, but investigators determined that the shipment originated in China.
On September 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the public comment period by 15 days to October 6 for comments on proposed changes to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, known as the Roadless Rule. The proposed revision would help forest firefighting efforts.
The U.S. Forest Service identified more than $16 million in cost savings through consolidation after a national review of its regional offices and research and development facilities. The USFS owns more than 16,000 facilities and holds more than 500 leases. Half are rated in "poor" condition, deferred maintenance exceeds $3 billion, and one-third of its office space falls below the 60% utilization standard set by the USE IT Act.
The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers announced a supplemental proposed rule with a new approach to defining the "waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. This alternative would eliminate the wet-season concept and limit jurisdiction to perennial waters.
On September 10, Prime Minister Carney signaled that Canada may hold off on further retaliation against President Trump's latest trade measures, calling them "relatively modest" compared to previous U.S. actions.
Those wondering how long the Canada-U.S. trade dispute may last might want to read the article linked below. Prime Minister Carney is accelerating a pivot toward Europe after trade negotiations with the U.S. collapsed. Canadian and European officials are discussing ways for Canada to connect into the EU's $21 trillion market.
The controversial EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will finally become law on December 30, 2026, for large operators in the EU, and on June 30, 2027, for smaller operators. When it does, U.S. white oak, red oak, ash, walnut, and other hardwoods will continue flowing into the EU, thanks to the American Hardwood Export Council's free compliance platform.
The hardwood industry has plenty of wood. What it increasingly lacks are viable markets for moving hardwood from the forest to the customer. Log costs remain high, while lumber prices are low. For many mills, margins are razor thin. One inspector described seeing mill sheds filled with lumber that had nowhere to go.
A new study shows that the economic loss in the region around a pulp mill that closed in Alabama this spring could reach nearly $7 billion.
Capital Testing's accredited flame spread certification program helps manufacturers demonstrate compliance with applicable building code requirements while providing independent, third-party assurance that certified products meet specified flame spread requirements. Learn more about the benefits of flame spread certification on the Capital Testing website.
Congress is united on major wildfire legislation. The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which seeks to prevent catastrophic wildfires and restore fire-ravaged forests, has created an unexpected alliance between loggers and some environmentalists. The legislation, which is close to passing, would speed up forest management projects on public and tribal lands by reducing regulatory and legal hurdles.
This fire season, more than 2.5 million acres burned across Oregon. Last week, forestry and agriculture experts gathered at the Healthy Forests Roundtable to discuss how to prevent another record-breaking year, focusing on the need to shift more attention toward wildfire prevention and forest management.
What’s the value of the decorative hardwoods trade between the U.S. and Canada?