President’s Executive Order on Securing the Wood Products Industry
On March 1, 2025, President of the United States issued an executive order to safeguard the wood products industry, which includes timber, lumber, and their derivative products, with the aim of protecting national security, economic strength, and industrial resilience. The executive order is based on section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Section 1 of the executive order emphasizes the importance of the wood products industry in the United States and highlights the vulnerabilities posed by imported timber, lumber, and their derivative products. Despite having abundant timber resources, the United States has become a net importer of lumber since 2016. The industry is crucial for both civilian construction and military projects, with the military alone spending over $10 billion on construction annually.
The policy outlined in the executive order focuses on ensuring a reliable and resilient domestic supply chain of timber, lumber, and their derivative products. Unfair subsidies and foreign government support for these products have necessitated action under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to assess whether imports threaten national security.
Section 2 of the order mandates the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an investigation to determine the effects of imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products on national security. Factors to be considered in the investigation include domestic production capacity, demand for these products, the role of foreign supply chains, and the impact of foreign government subsidies.
Section 3 requires the Secretary of Commerce to consult with the Secretary of Defense and other relevant executive departments to evaluate national security risks associated with imports of wood products. A report with findings and recommendations to mitigate threats to national security is to be submitted to the President within 270 days.
Section 4 provides definitions for “timber” and “lumber” as used in the order, while Section 5 includes general provisions to ensure the implementation of the order is consistent with applicable law and does not create any enforceable rights against the United States or its entities.
In conclusion, the executive order aims to strengthen the domestic wood products industry and protect national security by addressing the challenges posed by imported timber, lumber, and their derivative products. It underscores the importance of a secure and resilient supply chain for these essential materials.
