In a move aimed at reducing the U.S.'s reliance on foreign timber and lumber, President Donald Trump has ordered a wide-ranging review of the domestic wood supply chain. Over the next year, several U.S. departments will explore whether tariffs, quotas, or updated permitting processes could help boost domestic production of wood products.

On Saturday, President Trump signed two executive orders centered on lumber, timber, and their derivative materials. One of the orders directs the Secretary of Commerce to initiate a months-long examination of trade practices and the capacity for domestic production of these materials. The second order calls on the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to evaluate current regulations and propose updates that could help increase domestic wood production.

This initiative comes as construction companies, which rely heavily on wood products, are already facing the effects of Trump’s trade policies. Many firms made early purchases of construction materials in January, trying to avoid potential tariffs, while others are renegotiating contracts to shield themselves from rising supply costs.

However, the Trump administration emphasizes that securing a robust domestic wood supply is critical for national security, as both civilian and military construction depend on these materials.

As the executive order focused on wood trade states

“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.”

The trade order instructs the Secretary of Commerce to complete a Section 232 review within 270 days. This review will evaluate the impact of foreign trade practices, determine whether tariffs and quotas are necessary, and assess the feasibility of increasing domestic production to meet current and future wood supply demands.

President Trump has previously invoked Section 232 to impose tariffs on other products like steel and aluminum, claiming that the U.S. needs to maintain a strong domestic production base for national security reasons.

At the same time, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture are tasked with reviewing existing federal policies, such as permitting processes and forest management guidelines, over the next year. The aim, according to the executive order focused on production, is to enhance the U.S.’s ability to tap into its own timber resources.

As stated in the executive order

“The United States has an abundance of timber resources that are more than adequate to meet our domestic timber production needs, but heavy-handed Federal policies have prevented full utilization of these resources and made us reliant on foreign producers.”

Originally reported by Edwin Lopez in Construction Dive.