President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at boosting domestic lumber production and investigating potential national security risks linked to foreign timber imports.Â
The orders call for faster approvals for forestry projects and a comprehensive assessment of the country’s timber supply, while also targeting alleged trade imbalances with key exporters such as Canada, Germany, and Brazil.
The move comes amid concerns over rising construction costs, an increasing reliance on imported wood, and the role of forest management in preventing wildfires.
Trump’s actions echo past efforts to use trade policy as a tool for economic protectionism, similar to his steel and aluminium tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Streamlining Domestic Forestry and Timber Supply
Trump’s executive orders place a strong emphasis on accelerating U.S. forestry operations to enhance domestic self-sufficiency. According to Fox News, the United States has abundant forest resources but remains overly dependent on imported timber. Over the last three decades, U.S. reliance on foreign lumber has increased elevenfold, officials claim.
To address this, federal agencies have been directed to cut approval times for forestry projects, assess the future availability of timber, and reduce administrative barriers to logging.
The executive orders argue that prolonged bureaucratic processes have slowed timber harvesting, leading to higher housing costs and increased risks of wildfires due to unmanaged forests.
According to the administration, past Biden-era forestry policies have contributed to worsening wildfire conditions by limiting logging operations and timber extraction.
Trump’s orders specifically advocate for a revised forest management strategy that balances conservation efforts with economic interests, ensuring both sustainable logging and fire prevention initiatives.
National Security Concerns and Trade Investigation
The second executive order directs Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to launch a national security investigation into lumber imports, invoking Section 232—the same legal framework used by Trump in 2018 to impose global tariffs on steel and aluminium.
The probe, which must conclude within 270 days, will determine whether foreign timber imports undermine U.S. economic stability and security.
According to Fox News, exporters such as Canada, Germany, and Brazil have engaged in trade practices that harm U.S. timber producers, allegedly dumping low-cost lumber into the American market.
Canadian softwood lumber is already subject to a 14.5% combined anti-dumping and countervailing duty, but further tariffs or restrictions could be implemented based on the investigation’s findings.
