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 20th edition below and sign up to receive your copy.
Federation Meets with White House Economic Council, Advocates Trade Flexibility
Hardwood Federation team members Dana Lee Cole and Pat Rita met with officials from the White House on Thursday to discuss the potential impacts of blanket tariffs on the U.S. hardwood industry and how the Trump Administration can support our exporters should tariffs have the same impact as they did in 2018. The Hardwood Federation’s trade relief proposal was shared and discussed. Our contacts at the White House suggested additional officials to connect with and offered to facilitate meetings. We will continue to reach out to other members of the administration and continue our efforts with Congressional leaders in the coming weeks.
Coalition Urges Administration to Back Off of Chinese Shipping Surcharges
In a move that expands the country’s trade dispute with China, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently issued proposed remedies in response to an investigation against China for trading practices that seek to achieve maritime dominance while manipulating markets. Although the investigation opened during the Biden administration, the current administration has issued the proposed remedies, which include “significant port service fees” against Chinese-built ships. According to a study by the shipping industry, USTR’s proposed fees will increase container shipping costs by at least 25 percent, adding approximately $30 billion in annual costs on U.S. businesses and farmers. The Hardwood Federation, in conjunction with its allies in the ocean shipping coalition, is sending a letter to USTR urging the administration to reconsider its proposed remedies in a manner that will contain China’s market manipulation while mitigating additional financial burdens on U.S. exports.
Biden Administration’s WOTUS Rule Faces Chopping Block
In a move that continues the back and forth related Section 404 water permits, EPA announced on March 12 that it would review the latest Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, issued by the Biden Administration, in search of ways to further narrow the scope of federal permits on U.S. water bodies. A more streamlined WOTUS rule would expedite harvest adjacent to rivers, lakes, marshes, and other bodies of water designated as being subject to federal jurisdiction. Because the announcement was included in a batch of more than a dozen statements outlining the administration’s intent to revisit several EPA rules, details about a specific path forward by notice and comment is not known at this time.
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, 2025 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