NEWS

On February 13, President Trump signed a memorandum ordering the development of a comprehensive plan "for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering non-reciprocal trading arrangements." According to the White House, the plan would equalize U.S. tariffs to those of trading partners and consider non-tariff barriers as well as value-added taxes imposed on imports from the U.S.

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Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XVIII, Issue III: Trump Announces Tariffs On Imports From Canada & Mexico | Canada Announces Retaliatory Tariffs That Include Hardwoods | DHA’s Position On Tariffs | Bipartisan Bill Downgrades China's Trade Status

A bipartisan bill, "Restoring Trade Fairness Act," introduced in the House, would revoke China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations status. That status effectively classifies China as a free trade partner. The bill would revoke many of the low tariff rates China currently enjoys and create a minimum 35% tariff on the value of non-strategic goods and a minimum 100% tariff on the value of strategic goods. If passed, the new tariffs would be phased in over five years.

What Tasmanian tree is in the “gigantism hotspot” and grows to 100 meters tall? It’s the sixth-tallest tree in the world. Which species of trees are taller?

Answer: Australia’s mountain ash. The top five tallest tree species are the coastal redwood, a Himalayan cypress, Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and a tropical species from Malaysia, Shorea faguentiana, also known as yellow meranti.

DHA recently signed a letter to members of the House of Representatives and the Senate supporting the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025. Exemption limits on the estate tax in recent years represent significant relief to family-owned businesses. Without Congressional action, however, the temporary increase in the estate tax exemption amount will expire at the end of 2025, increasing uncertainty and business planning costs.