Why It Matters

Rayonier Advanced Materials’ decision to hire Checkmate Government Relations LLC
represents a strategic shift — from Runyan Public Affairs to a specialized trade advocacy firm signals changing priorities.
The company is deploying sophisticated lobbying firepower on tariffs affecting Brazilian pulp, Canadian timber, and EU trade barriers in the forest products industry.

The new team includes lobbyists with Senate Finance Committee experience and connections to Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), positioning RYAM to shape tariff outcomes as congressional resistance to blanket tariffs grows.

By the Numbers

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. has maintained consistent federal lobbying for two decades, investing approximately $1.47 million across 64 disclosures since August 2003. Runyan Public Affairs LLC represented RYAM from July 2013 to October 2023, generating $1.05 million across 45 disclosures.

The Checkmate team comprises four lobbyists: Muhammad Usman Rahim, former Staff Assistant to Senator Thom Tillis; Frederick Watson Vaughan, former Senior Counsel for House Financial Services Committee who lobbied on tariffs for HanesBrands Inc.; Christopher Joseph LaCivita Jr., with trade lobbying experience for manufacturing clients; and Charles Franklin McDowell IV, who also lobbied on tariff policy for HanesBrands.

The Agenda

RYAM is lobbying on trade policy and tariffs affecting forest products and cellulose industries. The company has previously lobbied on trade disputes involving Chinese duties on southern yellow pine and unfair Brazilian competition. Currently focused on navigating aggressive U.S. tariff policy, potential duties on Canadian pulp and timber, Brazilian pulp competition, and EU Deforestation Regulation barriers. The Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act and United States Reciprocal Trade Act are directly relevant to RYAM’s interests.

Between The Lines

The tariff landscape is in flux. The Senate recently voted to block tariffs on Brazil, demonstrating bipartisan skepticism of administration trade policy. Meanwhile, tariffs on Canadian timber products and proposed EU deforestation regulations threaten RYAM’s supply chain and export markets.

This team composition signals RYAM’s focus on Capitol Hill rather than agency-level advocacy. Tillis notably voted to block Brazil tariffs, suggesting Republican openness to industry input on tariff disputes.

Congress is actively reshaping U.S. trade policy with significant implications. Senator Susan Collins opposed tariffs on Canadian pulp, warning of job losses at Maine’s Twin Rivers paper mill. An Arkansas congressional delegation raised alarms about EU Deforestation Regulation threatening over $3.5 billion in U.S. paper and wood product exports.

Competitive Landscape

RYAM faces complex competitive lobbying on trade issues. Kruger Inc., a Canadian competitor, actively lobbies against U.S. tariffs on newsprint and paper pulp. Clearwater Paper Corp., a domestic manufacturer, lobbies on similar forestry and pulp trade issues, potentially aligning with RYAM on foreign competition concerns.

The Bottom Line

With lobbyists connected to key Senate Finance Committee members and extensive manufacturing tariff dispute experience, RYAM is betting that active congressional engagement will prove more effective than waiting for administrative trade decisions.

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