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Last week, in a big win for U.S. workers and the many DHA members in the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, the U.S. International Trade Commission decided that the existing duties on Chinese hardwood plywood will remain in place for the next five years. This is a critical development for the industry that has been fighting unfair imports from China for years. It also underlies circumvention cases against Vietnam, where a final ruling is expected later this month.

We also congratulate our downstream customers in the cabinet industry who had an important win that will increase duties on Chinese cabinets that are being dumped at artificially low prices into the U.S. market. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association recently doubled down on its commitment to fight unfair competition.

In a proposal the EPA has estimated will cost $47 million per year, the agency proposed new restrictions on emissions from plywood, veneer, and composite wood products manufacturing. This includes new rules on wood-fired dryers that may cause a switch to gas-fired boilers, increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

If you have questions or comments, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Keith A. Christman, President
Decorative Hardwoods Association

Photo © U.S. Customs & Border Protection/Jerry Glaser