Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 2: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to investigate the impact of lumber and timber imports on national security, a move that could pave the way for new tariffs.
Trump directed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to lead the probe, citing “significant vulnerabilities” in the US wood supply chain due to imported timber, lumber, and derivative products being dumped into the market.
A White House official mentioned China and South Korea, noting that the investigation would also cover derivative products like kitchen cabinets. The probe will proceed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to impose import restrictions if they pose a threat to national security, reports Yonhap news agency.
On the same day, Trump signed another executive order aimed at boosting domestic timber production to help reduce housing and construction costs.
“Our disastrous timber and lumber policies, a legacy of the previous administration, trigger wildfires, degrade wildlife habitats, and increase trade deficits as countries like Canada, Germany, and Brazil dump lumber into our markets,” a White House official said.
He also stressed that heavily subsidized wood products, including furniture and kitchen cabinets from China and South Korea, undercut American industries.
Defending the move, the official said that lumber is essential for US military infrastructure. “The Pentagon is a major consumer of lumber and derivative products. While we don’t build aircraft with wood, military structures depend on a reliable supply chain,” he explained.
Trump had earlier hinted at a 25% tariff on lumber and wood products.
According to the Korea International Trade Association, South Korea’s furniture exports to the US totaled $30 million last year, with analysts suggesting that potential US tariffs may have a limited impact on the Asian nation.
This latest action follows Trump’s recent executive order to investigate copper imports, which could also lead to tariffs on the metal vital for military and industrial use.