US wood products industry groups have seen a dramatic negative impact on business since the start of the trade dispute with China. This month the International Wood Products Association and its member Nathan Jeppson, CEO of Northwest Hardwoods – one of the US’s largest hardwood suppliers, met with the Office of the US Trade Representative, the US Department of Commerce and the National Economic Council to share their concerns about the costs to US industry of the trade dispute.
The Washington-based company, Northwest Hardwoods, announced that it was forced to shut down both a Virginia and Washington sawmill because of China’s retaliatory tariffs on US imports. China responded to President Trump’s Chinese import tariffs with tariffs of their own in July 2018. Those included 25% hits on exports of red oak, walnut, and seven other hardwoods.
A bipartisan group of 38 US representatives sent a letter to the Trump Administration urging that the hardwood industry to be included in an assistance package similar to that provided to US agricultural producers. Jeppson and other executives believe the tariffs have been disastrous for the US economy. Others acknowledge they’re hurting right now but believe they’re necessary long-term.