The U.S. forest products industry is locked in a debate as the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on Brazilian bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) pulp could have major implications for domestic tissue manufacturing and employment. The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) recently appealed to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to exempt Brazilian BEK pulp from Section 301 tariffs. In a formal letter, AF&PA described BEK pulp as “indispensable” to the U.S. tissue industry, emphasizing that its unique fiber qualities—softness, strength, and absorbency—are essential for producing high-quality ...