Days before the United States introduces a global tariff on all lumber imports, Malaysian (and Indonesian) traders face the prospect of a one-two gut punch—which could have major implications for the already-bleeding trade of Southeast Asian timber into the United States and European Union.
That is, according to Wong Kar Wai, treasurer of the Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia, who warns that two timber species used extensively by the US military in floorboards — Shorea and Apitong — could be added to the list of endangered species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
“Keruing (or Shorea) is a special type of timber primarily used for floorboards, with the US being its main market. A major buyer is the US military, which uses Keruing for the flooring of trucks and tanks due to its durability and strength. However, the US is now looking to rely more on its local timber, particularly Red oak.”
Wong Kar Wai, treasurer of the Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia, at the Export Furniture Exhibition 2025 earlier this month.
“As a result, there are discussions about placing Keruing under CITES, which could further restrict its trade and impact exporters, particularly from Malaysia,” he told SunBiz at the Export Furniture Exhibition 2025: “Although it is certified as sustainable, it now faces two major challenges – one being the new US tariff and the other the possibility of being listed under CITES, which could further restrict its trade.”
Is Europe and the United States using CITES listing as a trade barrier?
In a letter to members, TEAM president Chua Song Fong said the push ‘to list’ has been driven by European and North American special interests and would see Shorea species (including Balau, Red Meranti, Yellow Meranti, and White Meranti) and Apitong become subject to a range of strict restrictions on global export.
Wood Central understands that a vote on Shorea’s inclusion is scheduled for the CITES CoP20 Conference in Uzbekistan, which will be held from November 24 to December 5. And given its impact on the local industry, TEAM and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board have already escalated the matter to the Malaysian government via the Ministries of Plantation and Communities and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.
According to Wong, the push to add Shorea and Apitong to CITES is primarily driven by self-interest, with the US especially keen to promote its domestic species over imports: “Despite being sustainably harvested and certified, Shorea and Apitong face potential trade restrictions under the guise of conservation. Since these species are naturally found in Malaysia and Indonesia, stakeholders must counter these claims and ensure that sustainable practices are recognised.”
Can American Red oak outperform Southeast Asian species?
It comes after a letter from the US-based Hardwood Federation to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (dated January 27), obtained by the Malaysian-based Sunbiz, urged the agency to lobby for Apitong to be included in CITES. The letter argues that Apitong’s inclusion would prevent unsustainable harvesting and align with concerns raised by the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the General Services Administration.
“Protecting Apitong is crucial for environmental conservation and maintaining international trade sustainability,” the Hardwood Federation said, with Red oak suited to replace Apitong in military trailer beds and vehicle floorboards.
The letter also said the Department of Defense is developing a Red Oak-based trailer decking prototype as part of its mass timber initiative with Michigan Technological University, the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, the Hardwood Federation and other partners.
The new Red Oak prototype lasts five times longer than Apitong, it said, reducing replacement needs and lowering the agency’s carbon footprint while supporting domestic forestry and sustainable practices:
“As part of this shift, the National Defense Authorization Act now classifies Apitong as endangered and calls for a transition to domestically sourced Red Oak for trailer beds and vehicle floorboards. Congress emphasised that Apitong, sourced from tropical rainforests, is unsustainable, and a bipartisan group of senators has urged the DOD to accelerate the switch, citing Red Oak’s environmental benefits.
US-based Hardwood Federation letter to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (dated January 27), calling for Apitong to be added to the CITES list of endangered species.
At the same time the EU is looking at Shorea species
Meanwhile, the EU is also preparing for the CITES CoP20 Conference in Uzbekistan. As part of its preparation, the EU’s Scientific Review Group is studying the conservation status of important timber species, such as Balau, Red Meranti, Yellow Meranti, and White Meranti.
The EU Director-General for Environment Office stated in a letter that these species are widely traded – with the EU tossing up whether to add them to CITES Appendix II to help protect them from overuse. CITES Appendix II includes species that are not currently threatened with extinction but may become endangered if trade is not properly regulated.
The EU said there is growing concern that these timber species are disappearing fast. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, 65% of these species are threatened, and 86% are seeing a decline in numbers. The main reason for this is overharvesting due to high global demand.
Trade data from UN Comtrade (2014–2023) shows that at least 5.3 million tonnes of Meranti timber products were traded worldwide, with the EU being a major buyer: “This raises serious questions about the future availability of these species and the need for stronger trade controls,” it said.
To make a well-informed decision, the EU asked for feedback from timber-producing countries (until November 29, 2024), including Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand – who were invited to answer six questions about trade levels, population monitoring, laws, sustainable forest management, plantations and illegal trade.
- To learn more about the trade-in tropical timber – which last year reached a historic low – click here for Wood Central’s special feature from last week.
