The announcement from the USA to impose reciprocal tariffs on trading partners is no great surprise, but what will it mean for the UK wood sector and what retaliation could we see from the UK Government and the EU commission?

As the UK is the second-largest net importer of wood and wood products with an import to export ratio of 5:1 in this area additional duty applied to USA imports is going to have a low direct impact on our sector.

However, what is much less clear at the present time is the impact such additional duty may have on our customers and the manufactured products they produce, such as furniture which include the wood we supply.

The high import-to-export ratio makes the retaliation we could see from the UK Government and the EU Commission much more critical to our sector. 

The UK government has already published a “Request for input on potential UK measures in response to US tariffs”. Part of this request is an Indicative Long List of US Products which could be included in any UK measures. 

It is important for TDUK members to be aware this list currently includes the main customs codes under heading 44 for Wood and Wood products. 

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