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Earlier this month, imports from Asia—particularly China and its partners in illegal trade—posed a different kind of challenge to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, an important association that represents many of our customers. Three large members resigned from KCMA after KCMA's board of directors declined to drop their circumvention case against Chinese cabinets being transshipped through Vietnam and Malaysia. This action comes on the heels of the Commerce Department's recent finding that U.S. importers of hardwood plywood from Vietnam are circumventing duties on Chinese plywood. Coincidence?

In a sign that KCMA's concerns about circumvention are well-founded, U.S. Customs and Border Protection found that six companies are evading import duties on Chinese cabinets. Congratulations to KCMA on this victory and for standing up for U.S. manufacturers and workers against illegal and unfair trade.

In our last email, we reported on the proposed listing of additional bat species under the Endangered Species Act. Thankfully, twelve members of Congress have weighed in against these counterproductive restrictions on harvesting timber. These restrictions would harm rural communities without helping the bats threatened by white-nose syndrome.

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


Keith A. Christman, President
Decorative Hardwoods Association