Hardwood Federation Update
Trade Concerns Continue to Dominate
The ongoing evolution of the Trump Administration’s trade policy remains the top issue for the Hardwood Federation—and for most of Washington, D.C., as we reach the midpoint of the President’s first year in his second term. Although there is currently a “pause” on raising tariff levels for most countries until August 1, new announcements are quickly emerging about tariff changes for some countries (Canada, Mexico, and the EU), standard tariff levels of 10-15% for others, and the upcoming finalization of trade deals.
So, how does the Federation stay informed amid this constantly changing situation? The honest answer is that we are doing our best, but it is a challenge. Like every other trade organization, the Hardwood Federation works hard to stay current. We also employ strategies to keep up with developments and proactively advocate for the U.S. hardwood industry as the landscape shifts.
First, we maintain regular contact with key Administration officials and Congressional offices that provide information and are available to answer questions. We also follow Washington-based information networks that deliver updates—often in real time—via official Alerts as well as unofficial comments on social media channels like X or Truth Social.
Regarding trade specifically, Hardwood Federation Executive Director Dana Lee Cole serves as Vice-Chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Advisory Committee on Building Materials. In this role, she provides information, input, advice, and comments to Commerce staff working on issues related to international trade and business. She also holds a low-level security clearance to receive confidential updates on ongoing trade negotiations. This access not only enables her to contribute to the negotiations but also informs and guides Federation advocacy efforts.
As an industry association based in Washington, D.C., we regularly meet with peers from other organizations, both in scheduled meetings and through informal day-to-day interactions. These exchanges often yield insights unavailable in media reports or official updates from Congress or the Administration. This underscores the benefits of maintaining a presence in D.C.
The Hardwood Federation is a small but dedicated team. Nonetheless, we sometimes need additional help to meet our goals and industry expectations. This year, we engaged a D.C.-based consulting firm, Monument Advocacy, for three months to strengthen our influence on Capitol Hill and with the Administration. They are helping us educate leaders about the potential impacts of prolonged trade disputes and retaliatory actions on the U.S. hardwood industry. We’ve worked closely with the American Hardwood Export Council and others to develop materials that demonstrate the effects of the 2019-2020 dispute, create a potential financial relief plan, and organize mill tours for key Members of Congress—including press coverage—to emphasize the importance of including hardwood concerns in negotiations. If necessary, we will also support industry resilience while awaiting negotiation outcomes.
We plan to leverage industry members with political connections to share their stories, and for those who haven’t been active before, now might be the time to get involved. Let us know how we can assist.
We look forward to sharing the results of these efforts in the coming months. While we anticipate trade deals before the August 1 deadline, we also expect policy evolution, with no long-term status quo. The Administration remains active, and so does the Federation!
