Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Timber, Lumber, and Their Derivative Products
Initiates a Section 232 investigation into timber and lumber imports.
Section by Section
What each section does, and how they differ.
Wood products industry is critical to national security and civilian construction. U.S. has ample timber resources and domestic industry can supply 95 percent of softwood consumption, yet U.S. remains net importer since 2016 due to foreign subsidies and dumping, threatening domestic industry and supply chain resilience.
Secretary of Commerce shall initiate Trade Expansion Act section 232 investigation on timber, lumber, and derivative products to determine national security effects, assessing domestic production capacity, foreign subsidies, predatory practices, feasibility of increased domestic capacity, and current trade policy impacts.
Secretary of Commerce shall consult with Defense Secretary and other relevant agencies. Within 270 days, Secretary shall submit report with findings on whether imports threaten national security, recommendations for mitigation including tariffs and quotas, and policy recommendations for strengthening domestic supply chains.
Timber means unprocessed wood; lumber means processed wood including milled boards and planks.
Standard boilerplate: preserves existing agency authority, conditions the order on appropriations, and creates no enforceable private rights.