The D.C. Cheat Sheet

Hardwood Federation Associations Ask Administration for Fuel Relief: Member Associations of the Hardwood Federation are preparing a letter to the Administration asking that the US hardwood supply chain be included in the recently announced fuel relief program.  A final version of the letter will be sent on Monday. This is another opportunity for us to send a united message to decision makers that the hardwood industry is in need of relief and will be another message point in our larger goal of economic support as part of the Senate supplemental agriculture appropriations proposal.  We anticipate the supplemental funding bill will be taken up in the lame duck session which starts on November 9.

Comments from individual companies are also being sought by USDA. If you have not already shared information about how fuel prices are impacting your company, you may do so at HarvestFuel@usda.gov. The more USDA hears from the industry, the more data they will have to support providing economic relief.

Tariff News:  The Trump Administration has made a few trade moves over the last week.  They first lifted a number of Section 338 tariffs on Canadian goods including plywood sheets and certain paper products.  In a second move yesterday, the President deferred the imposition of new tariffs on industrial machinery, robotics, and their parts and components.  The US Department of Commerce and the US Trade Ambassador were directed to instead pursue or continue negotiations of agreements to address ongoing concerns.

Five Days Until Election Day: After months of contentious campaigning and endless advertising, the 2026 election will finally arrive next Tuesday.  If you haven’t already voted, be sure to do so.  The Hardwood Federation will be providing initial election outcome analysis in next week’s Cheat Sheet.