The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched a new administrative review of trade duties on several imported wood products, placing Canadian lumber exporters and Chinese wood product manufacturers under renewed scrutiny. The review, announced on March 9, 2026, covers imports made during the 2025 calendar year, with final results expected by January 31, 2027. Three product categories are included in the investigation: Canadian softwood lumber, certain hardwood plywood from China and wooden bedroom furniture exports from China, all of which are already subject to antidumping measures under existing U.S. trade rules.

Canadian softwood lumber exporters currently face a combined antidumping and countervailing duty rate of 35.19%, a sharp increase from 14.4% recorded in earlier reviews. U.S. producers, represented by the U.S. Lumber Coalition, continue to support the duties, arguing they are necessary to counter policies that they claim allow Canadian suppliers to maintain an artificially large share of the U.S. market and put pressure on domestic production and jobs.

The review will also examine Chinese hardwood plywood and wooden bedroom furniture exports, which have been facing growing market pressure. The United States remains the largest destination for Chinese wood furniture exports, accounting for around 27% of shipments. However, export performance weakened in 2025 as volumes fell by 7.1% to 129.4 million pieces while export value dropped 20% to about $5.6bn, reflecting lower demand and falling prices.

Officials said only a limited number of exporters may be selected for detailed examination based on import data and submitted questionnaires. The outcome of the review will determine whether current duty rates remain in place or are adjusted, a decision that could influence trade flows in the global wood and furniture industry in the coming years.
  
Source: woodandpanel.us