On Saturday, President Donald Trump issued orders to begin the process of potentially levying tariffs on imported wood products. Imported lauan wood is a critical component of many RVs.
RVIA estimated the industry has paid an average of $1.5 million monthly in tariffs to import lauan from Indonesia since duty-free status for lauan expired in 2020.
The White House said an executive order directed the Commerce Secretary to begin a Section 232 investigation of imported timber, lumber and their derivative products. The investigation will assess national security risks from U.S. dependence on imported time, lumber and derivative products such as paper, furniture and cabinetry.
The investigation will consider whether tariffs are required to safeguard domestic wood product production. A report will identify vulnerabilities in the lumber supply chain and provide recommendations to enhance the domestic wood products industry.
President Donald Trump said timber and lumber are essential materials for national security, saying the military spends over $10 billion annually on construction. The U.S. has been a net lumber importer since 2016 despite the White House saying the domestic industry has the practical production capacity to supply 95% of U.S. softwood consumption.
In conjunction with the Section 232 investigation, the president signed an executive order to enhance domestic timber production.
The order requests new or updated agency guidance to increase production, provide sound forest management, reduce delivery times and decrease uncertainty around domestic supply.
The order seeks to cut red tape and identify measures to boost public land timber sales. Also, the order pushes for quicker Endangered Species Act approvals to keep forestry projects from delays.
The White House said, “The United States has an abundance of timber resources that can more than meet domestic timber production needs, but burdensome federal policies have prevented full utilization of these resources while the unfair trade practices of exporters into our country are depressing demand.”
The White House added that increased timber production would help reduce foreign dependency, lower costs and enhance economic security.
