NEWS

U.S. imports of hardwood plywood from Vietnam and Indonesia soared as imports from China fell by 50,000 to 100,000 cubic meters per month. Wood products exports from Vietnam reached $3.12 billion in the first four months of the year. Exports to the U.S. surged 34.6% to $1.42 billion.

There are 867 direct foreign investment companies operating in Vietnam. 63% are funded by investors in China, South Korea, or Japan.

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The Wood-Mode cabinet plant in Pennsylvania closed its doors in May. Chinese cabinet imports negatively impacted the business, suggests Bill Esler, editor for Woodworking Network. The closure had a devastating effect: 938 people lost their jobs. The 77‑year‑old company was the largest employer in Snyder County.

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Following the recent agreement between Canada and the U.S. on the aluminum and steel dispute, Canada announced that they will eliminate the countermeasures that were originally implemented in July 2018. These measures included a 10% tariff on two categories of U.S.-made plywood.

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Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XII, Issue X: U.S. Increases Tariffs On Chinese Imports | China Retaliates; Tariffs On Hardwoods Increase | China's Economic Recovery Challenged By Slowdown | Roseburg Reorganizes Operations

President Trump has ordered the U.S. Trade Representative to begin placing additional tariffs on Chinese imports under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that are not already subject to these duties. The USTR indicated that "essentially all" imports from China not yet subject to Section 301 duties would be affected. Antidumping and countervailing duty orders are not affected.

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

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