Trade Concerns Continue to Dominate

The continuing evolution of the Trump Administration’s trade policy remains the top issue for the Hardwood Federation… and most of Washington, D.C., as we hit the midway point in the President’s first year of his second term. Although tariff increases are currently on “pause” for most countries until August 1, new announcements are rapidly emerging, including new rates for Canada, Mexico, and the EU; standard tariffs of 10–15% for others; and promises of finalized trade deals on the horizon.

So, how does the Federation stay on top of a constantly changing status? The only honest answer is that we are doing our best, which is challenging. Like other local trade organizations, the Hardwood Federation team also struggles to stay current. However, we have some strategies to keep current and proactively advocate for the U.S. hardwood industry as the situation develops.

First, we are in regular contact with key Administration officials and Congressional offices that provide information and are available to answer questions. We also follow D.C.-based information networks that distribute updates, often in real time, of official Administration news alerts and the unofficial comments shared on social media channels like X or Truth Social.

Regarding trade specifically, I serve as Vice-Chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Advisory Committee on Building Materials. In this role, I provide input and advice to Commerce staff on international trade and business issues. I also hold a security clearance, albeit a modest one, that allows me to receive confidential updates on ongoing trade negotiations. This allows input into negotiations and helps inform and direct Federation advocacy efforts.
As an industry association in Washington, D.C., we meet with peers from other organizations regularly in scheduled meetings and as part of daily casual interactions. These exchanges often provide insight that is unavailable in media accounts or formal Congress or Administration updates. This is also an excellent example of the benefits of having a D.C. presence.

The Hardwood Federation is a tiny team comprised of dedicated professionals! However, additional help can be necessary (and welcome) to meet the goals we set for ourselves and those set by the Federation Board and industry expectations. This year, the Federation has brought short-term assistance from a D.C.-based consult ing firm to increase our firepower on the Hill and with the Administration. Monument Advocacy has been on board for three months to increase our capacity to educate Hill and Administration leaders about the potential impacts of a drawn-out trade war and possible retaliatory actions on the U.S. hardwood industry. We have worked closely with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and others to develop materials that succinctly demonstrate the impacts of the 2019-2020 dispute, have created a formula for potential financial relief should it become necessary, and are planning mill tours for key members of Congress, including press coverage, to stress the importance of including hardwood concerns in all negotiations with trading partners. And if that fails, we will support the industry while the dust settles on negotiation outcomes.

We will also be looking for those industry members with political connections to continue to reach out and tell their story. If you haven’t been active in the past, there’s no better time to get involved! Let us know how we can help.

We look forward to sharing the outcomes of these efforts in the coming months. While we expect the Administration to announce trade deals before the August 1 deadline, we also hope that trade policy will continue evolving and the status quo will never be long-term. The Administration shows no signs of slowing down, and neither does the Federation!

By DANA COLE, Executive Director of the Hardwood Federation