NEWS

The U.S. and European Union have been working to resolve numerous nontariff trade issues, from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to how U.S. tech companies in Europe will be treated. While tariff policy remains unclear, the draft text specifies that the EU will delay implementation of the EUDR for one year.

U.S. imports of hardwood plywood are still up by 13% in volume year-to-date. This follows a surge in March, followed by a drop of 35% in April to the lowest level of the year. April imports of 226,202 cubic meters were 6% lower than last April.

Read more: Global Wood Trade Network → 

The Trump administration has directed the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to consolidate federal wildfire programs within 90 days. The order emphasized streamlined coordination, expanded use of AI and satellite data, and regulatory relief for prescribed burning and use of woody biomass. Notably, the executive order reinforces active forest management as a wildfire mitigation tool.

PHOTO © AMERICORPS and FORESTCORPS

As of June 25, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will enforce the requirement that commercial drivers be able to read and speak English. Changes include mandatory roadside English assessments. Drivers who cannot converse or read road signs will be immediately prohibited from driving. FMCSA will review the policy of issuing commercial driver's licenses to nonresidents.

The Senate Finance Committee has unveiled its part of the budget reconciliation bill. Key provisions include making the following changes permanent: businesses' ability to immediately expense 100% of capital investment, the business research and development credit, the 20% deduction for pass-through entities, and the increase in estate and gift tax and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions to $15 million.