The United States’ national security is threatened by imports of timber, lumber and their derivative products due to unfair subsidies and foreign government support for these products. The White House has ordered an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to determine whether imports of these products pose a threat to national security. The Secretary of Commerce will consult with relevant executive departments and agencies, such as the Department of Defense, to evaluate the risks associated with these imports and recommend potential actions to mitigate them. These actions may include tariffs, export controls or incentives to increase domestic production. President Trump has ordered that the investigation be completed within 270 days, and a report submitted containing findings, policy recommendations and possible solutions. The order also defines timber as unprocessed wood and lumber as processed wood that has been milled and cut into boards or planks.
Read the full text of the order at the whitehouse.gov website.