NEWS

In September, China's new construction starts fell for the sixth straight month, the longest run of monthly declines since 2015. September's decline of 13.54% vs. last year marks the third month in a row of double-digit declines.

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The European Commission has been accused of driving builders across Europe to the brink of insolvency after imposing antidumping duties of as much as 15% on Russian birch plywood. Many European companies are already reeling from chronic supply shortages and a surge in inflation.

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To ease supply-chain bottlenecks that are hurting housing affordability, U.S. homebuilders are calling on the Biden administration to temporarily lift tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum and Canadian softwood lumber. The temporary action would remain in place "until a long-term solution can be reached," said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke.

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Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XIV, Issue XX: New Legislation Addresses Global Deforestation & Environmental Crime | California Governor Vetoes Tropical Deforestation Bill | Who Will Plant All Those Trees? | U.S. & Vietnam Agree On Timber Pact, Avoiding Punitive Tariffs | Blackouts Spread In China

What is "holystoning"?

Answer:  Holystoning is a procedure for cleaning wood decks, such as teak, in certain ships such as battleships and cruisers.

Holystoning

Photo © Eugene Slovers