Trump Signs Executive Order to Boost Logging, Slash Regulations

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday aimed at reviving the U.S. timber industry by slashing regulations and speeding up logging permits on federal lands, a move he touted as a way to reduce reliance on foreign imports and prevent wildfires.

The order, signed March 1, 2025, directs federal agencies to streamline logging processes, setting ambitious four-year production targets and mandating faster permit approvals. It also calls for Endangered Species Act reviews to be completed within 120 days, a significant reduction from current timelines, and initiates a national security investigation into imported wood products under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The Pentagon has signaled support for the probe, citing military reliance on domestic lumber.

Trump framed the policy as an economic and environmental win during remarks at the White House. “We’re unleashing American logging to meet 95% of our demand, cut costs for families, and stop these devastating fires,” he said. “No more dependence on Canada’s subsidized wood or China’s cheap cabinets.”

The executive order builds on Trump’s deregulatory agenda, echoing a 2019 directive that increased logging on public lands by 31% to curb wildfires. That earlier policy drew criticism from environmentalists, who argued it prioritized industry over conservation. Saturday’s order goes further, targeting what the administration calls “bureaucratic red tape” under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act.

Industry leaders welcomed the move. “This is a lifeline for rural jobs and our timber supply,” said Bill Imbergamo, executive director of the Federal Forest Resource Coalition, which represents wood product manufacturers. He noted that federal timber sales support hundreds of thousands of jobs in economically challenged regions.

Environmental groups, however, decried the order as a giveaway to corporate interests. “This is a reckless assault on our forests and wildlife,” said Sam Evans, national forests program leader at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Speeding up logging without proper oversight risks long-term damage to ecosystems already stressed by climate change.”

The administration’s push comes amid ongoing debates over forest management and trade. Canada supplies roughly 14.5% of U.S. lumber, often at lower costs due to subsidies, while China dominates the market for affordable wood products like cabinets. Trump’s order aims to shift that balance, though experts warn that ramping up domestic production could take years and face legal challenges.

The Section 232 investigation, a rare trade tool used previously for steel and aluminum, could lead to tariffs on foreign timber if deemed a security threat. The Defense Department’s backing reflects concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during recent global disruptions.

Saturday’s action aligns with Trump’s broader “America First” agenda, which has seen him issue over 100 executive orders since taking office in January. Critics question the feasibility of the logging goals, pointing to staffing shortages at agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and potential lawsuits from conservationists.

As of Sunday, no lawsuits had been filed, but environmental advocates signaled they were preparing to fight. “Our public lands belong to all Americans, not just the timber industry,” Evans said.

The White House did not provide specific production targets beyond the 95% domestic supply goal, leaving details to be hashed out by the Agriculture and Interior departments. Implementation is expected to begin immediately, with agencies directed to report progress within 90 days.

---