President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday that orders an investigation into U.S. imports of wood products, an industry that the president sees as “essential to the national security, economic strength, and industrial resilience” of the United States.

The order directs Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to lead an investigation into the national security implications of the U.S.’s current imports of timber, lumber, and manufactured wood products. This will include looking into demand for timber and lumber in the U.S., if domestic production can meet domestic demand, the significance of major foreign exporters in meeting U.S. demand, as well as any predatory trade practices that affect the U.S.’s competitiveness in the industry.

The results of the inquiry could allow the president to apply tariffs to lumber imports. 

In addition to residential and commercial uses, the order pointed to military uses of lumber.  The military 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.

"It is the policy of the United States to ensure reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply chains of timber, lumber, and their derivative products," the order said.. "Unfair subsidies and foreign government support for foreign timber, lumber, and their derivative products necessitate action under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to determine whether imports of these products threaten to impair national security."