U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-6) reaffirmed his commitment to helping Tennessee hardwood lumber producers and industry workers in a meeting with United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in Washington, D.C. recently.
“Secretary Perdue provided an in-depth report on the continued progress of a Phase One trade deal with China, specifically as it relates to the hardwood lumber industry,”Rep. Rose said. “The success of a Phase One agreement is very important to the many family-owned hardwood lumber businesses in Tennessee, and I am grateful for my constituents who brought this critical issue to my attention.”
Rep. Rose met with Secretary Perdue, along with twelve of his fellow Members of Congress, including Rep. David Kustoff (TN-8) and Rep. Scott DesJarlais (TN-4).
Half of all hardwood lumber produced in the United States is exported to China. In the last several months, sales to that market have declined by 42 percent.
“In Tennessee, nearly 38,000 families rely on the hardwood lumber industry as a way of life,” Rep. Rose continued. “These families depend on sales to China. The severe disruption the hardwood lumber industry has faced in recent months has significantly harmed business owners and families in Tennessee.”
U.S. Representative John Rose represents Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville. The Sixth District includes Cannon and eighteen other counties.