NEWS

The American Hardwood Export Council has intensified the process of developing a risk-based jurisdictional response to the EUDR over the last few months. Even though a one-year delay to the implementation of the law now seems inevitable, AHEC Europe has been pushing ahead with plans to deliver a risk-based mechanism for U.S. hardwoods that demonstrates their legality and the negligible risk of deforestation at the county level—throughout all 33 hardwood-producing states.

The European Union has agreed to postpone the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation until December 30, 2025. After the successful plenary vote this week, the final official step is publication in the EU journal before the end of the year. The EU has rejected the creation of a "no risk" category intended to provide flexibility for countries that practice sustainable forestry.

PHOTO © USFS CHRIS WARNER

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the bipartisan Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2024—unanimously. The bill will help fight international trade crimes by establishing a new task force within the Department of Justice dedicated to prosecuting trade fraud, duty evasion, transshipment, and other trade-related offenses.

PHOTO © U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION

Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XVII, Issue XXIII: Trump Vows To Impose New Tariffs On Canada, Mexico & China | Hardwood Federation Evaluates New Tariff Policy | U.S. Imports Of Hardwood Plywood Grow By 20%

The forest products industry is a critical part of the U.S. economy. How many jobs does the forest products industry support and what percent of GDP does it contribute?