The Hardwood Federation produces a “D.C. Cheat Sheet” newsletter to keep the industry up-to-date on the latest news from Washington D.C. Check out the March 6th edition below and sign up to receive your copy.
Administration Pauses Tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Again
President Trump has announced that he would again pause imposition of tariffs on Canada and Mexico, this time through April 2, for all goods covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA). This move creates some flexibility in the wake of formal imposition of tariffs of 25 percent which went into effect on March 4. Despite the apparent temporary off-ramp the administration appears to have created with this roughly one-month pause, the president used the opportunity to remind the public that reciprocal tariffs on countries that have duties on U.S. goods are on track to go into effect in early April. The Hardwood Federation will keep you posted on developments.
Hardwood Federation Lobbies U.S. Trade Representative
The Hardwood Federation team met with officials with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Thursday afternoon to discuss the multi-layered adverse impacts of tariffs on domestic hardwood manufacturing. They also stressed the differences between hardwood and softwood domestic and international markets and demand. The federation team is continuing outreach to administration officials, including those in the Department of Agriculture, and leaders on Capitol Hill to raise awareness and offer relief proposals for the industry as retaliatory tariff threats increase.
China Bans Import of U.S. Logs
On March 4, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) announced that China has imposed a ban U.S. log imports based on the “quarantine of forest pests such as bark beetles and longhorn beetles.” According to AHEC, there is no mention of a ban on lumber or other hardwood products.” Other U.S. products targeted include soybeans, pork, beef, vegetables, fruits, and dairy. This announcement comes on the heels of the Trump Administration’s decision to move forward with 20 percent tariffs on Chinese imports.
Register Now for Fly-In 2025
Taxes. Trade. Tariff. Regulations. Federal policy impacting you and your business is currently being debated on Capitol Hill. Don’t depend on others to speak for you. Join the Hardwood Federation’s Fly-In to D.C. May 13-15 for your chance to make your voice heard.
We schedule your meetings based on where you live and work. You and a group of your peers will visit Congressional offices, share your business story and insight, and become an advocate for policies that support the U.S. hardwood industry.
Register for the Fly-In, make hotel reservations, and review the action-packed agenda here.
Source: Hardwood Federation