Trump Orders New Tariff Probe Into US Lumber Imports

US President Donald Trump on March 1 ordered a new trade investigation that could heap more tariffs on imported lumber, adding to existing duties on Canadian softwood lumber and 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican goods due this week.

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WASHINGTON -

In his third new tariff probe in a week, Mr. Trump signed a memo ordering Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to initiate a national security investigation into US lumber imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

The trade law is the one Mr. Trump also used to impose tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports.

The probe covers derivative products made from lumber which could include furniture such as kitchen cabinets, which in some cases are made of US lumber that had been exported.

The order said the Commerce Department investigation must be completed within 270 days.

Mr. Trump also ordered new steps to increase the domestic supply of lumber by streamlining the permitting process for harvesting lumber from public lands and improving the salvage of fallen trees from forests and waterways.