NHLA Applauds U.S. Trade Ruling on Hardwood Plywood Imports From China, Indonesia and Vietnam

The National Hardwood Lumber Assn. (NHLA) is applauding a U.S. International Trade Commission ruling that clears the way for new trade duties on hardwood and decorative plywood imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam. On August 19, the USITC issued affirmative final injury determinations covering hardwood and decorative plywood from the three countries. The decision follows U.S. Department of Commerce findings that the products are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value and are benefiting from government subsidies. As a result of the Commission’s decision, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering the affected imports.

In response to the determination, NHLA Executive Director Dallin Brooks says, “The USITC’s determination confirms what our industry has been warning about: China is deliberately trying to put American mom-and-pop hardwood companies out of business. We congratulate the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, and we applaud the ruling because our country cannot afford to stand by. Our political leaders should seize this moment to pursue a comprehensive, all-of-government response. We must protect America’s domestic hardwood supply chain, which equips our military, moves our freight, and powers hundreds of thousands of American jobs.”

The decision represents the culmination of a trade case that began in May 2025, when the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions covering imports from China, Indonesia and Vietnam. Coalition members include Columbia Forest Products, Commonwealth Plywood, Manthei Wood Products, States Industries and Timber Products Co. Commerce’s investigations subsequently produced affirmative findings on both dumping and government subsidies. Preliminary antidumping findings issued earlier this year included substantial estimated dumping margins, while the countervailing duty investigations identified subsidy rates that varied considerably by country and producer.

Notably, the ruling does not encompass all plywood products from the three countries. The Commission’s affirmative determination covers hardwood and decorative plywood while excluding all softwood structural plywood. The Commission separately determined that imports of certain softwood structural plywood products covered by the investigation were negligible and terminated those portions of the case.

With the USITC’s affirmative determination now complete, Commerce will move forward with antidumping and countervailing duty orders on covered hardwood and decorative plywood imports from China, Indonesia and Vietnam. The Commission’s full public report detailing its findings is scheduled to be available by September 28.