[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 43 (Thursday, March 6, 2025)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 11359-11361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03693]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 43 / Thursday, March 6, 2025 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 11359]]
Executive Order 14223 of March 1, 2025
Addressing the Threat to National Security From
Imports of Timber, Lumber, and Their Derivative
Products
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, including section 232 of the Trade Expansion
Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (Trade
Expansion Act), it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Policy. The wood products industry, composed
of timber, lumber, and their derivative products (such
as paper products, furniture, and cabinetry) is a
critical manufacturing industry essential to the
national security, economic strength, and industrial
resilience of the United States. This industry plays a
vital role in key downstream civilian industries,
including construction. The United States faces
significant vulnerabilities in the wood supply chain
from imported timber, lumber, and their derivative
products being dumped onto the United States market.
The United States has ample timber resources. The
current United States softwood lumber industry has the
practical production capacity to supply 95 percent of
the United States' 2024 softwood consumption. Yet,
since 2016 the United States has been a net importer of
lumber.
Wood products are a key input used by both the civilian
construction industry and the military. Each year, the
United States military spends over 10 billion dollars
on construction. The military also invests in
innovative building material technology, including
processes to create innovative wood products such as
cross-laminated timber. The procurement of these
building materials depends on a strong domestic lumber
industry and a manufacturing base capable of meeting
both military-specific and wider civilian needs.
It is the policy of the United States to ensure
reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply chains
of timber, lumber, and their derivative products.
Unfair subsidies and foreign government support for
foreign timber, lumber, and their derivative products
necessitate action under section 232 of the Trade
Expansion Act to determine whether imports of these
products threaten to impair national security.
Sec. 2. Investigation. (a) The Secretary of Commerce
shall initiate an investigation under section 232 of
the Trade Expansion Act to determine the effects on the
national security of imports of timber, lumber, and
their derivative products.
(b) In conducting the investigation described in
subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of
Commerce shall assess the factors set forth in 19
U.S.C. 1862(d), labeled ``Domestic production for
national defense; impact of foreign competition on
economic welfare of domestic industries,'' as well as
other relevant factors, including:
(i) the current and projected demand for timber and lumber in the United
States;
(ii) the extent to which domestic production of timber and lumber can meet
domestic demand;
(iii) the role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters,
in meeting United States timber and lumber demand;
[[Page 11360]]
(iv) the impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade
practices on United States timber, lumber, and derivative product industry
competitiveness;
(v) the feasibility of increasing domestic timber and lumber capacity to
reduce imports; and
(vi) the impact of current trade policies on domestic timber, lumber, and
derivative product production, and whether additional measures, including
tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security.
Sec. 3. Required Actions. (a) The Secretary of Commerce
shall consult with the Secretary of Defense and the
heads of other relevant executive departments and
agencies as determined by the Secretary of Commerce to
evaluate the national security risks associated with
imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative
products.
(b) No later than 270 days after the date of this
order, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit a report
to the President that includes:
(i) findings on whether imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative
products threaten national security;
(ii) recommendations on actions to mitigate such threats, including
potential tariffs, export controls, or incentives to increase domestic
production; and
(iii) policy recommendations for strengthening the United States timber and
lumber supply chain through strategic investments and permitting reforms.
Sec. 4. Definitions. As used in this order:
(a) The term ``timber'' refers to wood that has not
been processed.
(b) The term ``lumber'' refers to wood that has
been processed, including wood that has been milled and
cut into boards or planks.
Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or
the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations.
[[Page 11361]]
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not,
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
the United States, its departments, agencies, or
entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.
(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 1, 2025.
[FR Doc. 2025-03693
Filed 3-5-25; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P