The Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood has filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission seeking antidumping and countervailing duties on hardwood and decorative plywood imports from Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. Submitted on Thursday, May 22, the petitions cite dumping margins of up to 134% for Vietnam, 203% for Indonesia, and 474% for China. The filings allege extensive foreign subsidies and below-market pricing have caused significant harm to U.S. manufacturers, according to Wiley, which represents the Coalition.
In the first quarter of 2025, U.S. hardwood plywood imports increased 18% year-on-year to 746 thousand m3, with total import value rising 14% to $490 million, according to Lesprom Analytics. Vietnam remained the largest supplier with a 30% share, exporting 223 thousand m3 despite a 3% volume decline. Indonesia followed closely at 29%, increasing volume 125% to 217 thousand m3. China’s share fell to 2%, with volume down 21% to 17 thousand m3. Bild: U.S. hardwood plywood imports by country, January 2024–March 2025 / USDA through Lesprom Analytics.
Indonesia saw the most significant growth in volume and value, while its average price dropped 32% to $372 per m3. In contrast, Vietnam’s average price rose 17% to $661 per m3. Among smaller suppliers, Russia expanded volume by 25% to 35 thousand m3, and Thailand by 54% to 18 thousand m3. Finland recorded the sharpest volume growth at 831%, although its export price fell 90% to $59 per m3.
Canada, Cambodia, and China all saw declines in volume and value. Spain’s exports dropped 64% in volume but posted a 209% rise in price per m3, reaching $422. Birch plywood dominated total supply, accounting for 67% of imports at 495 thousand m3 and generating $188 million at an average price of $380 per m3.
The petitions argue that imports from the three targeted countries benefit from dozens of government subsidy programs, including grants, subsidized inputs, tax breaks, and preferential loans. These practices have materially injured the U.S. industry by reducing production, shipments, profits, and employment.
The Coalition represents a substantial majority of hardwood plywood production in the United States. Its members – Columbia Forest Products, Commonwealth Plywood, Manthei Wood Products, States Industries, and Timber Products – operate more than a dozen facilities across Arkansas, California, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, and West Virginia.
