The EU\u2019s deforestation rules face a new challenge from Washington, with potential consequences for transatlantic wood trade. Proposed measures would increase pressure on European exporters while strengthening support for the American forest products industry.<\/p>\n
The Strong American Wood Act, H.R. 10906, was introduced on 22 October by Republican Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, with Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington as a co-sponsor. Its provisions include a response to European deforestation rules and fresh scrutiny of wood and paper imports. The bill remains at the committee referral stage.<\/p>\n
Section 202 would require the US Trade Representative to impose retaliatory tariffs on EU goods under Section 301 if the bloc imposes or enforces deforestation regulations on US products. A separate trigger covers fumigant rules or higher entry barriers for American wood chips relative to other US wood products.<\/p>\n
The provision sets no tariff rate or product list. Its wording refers to goods from EU member states without expressly restricting retaliation to forest products. The eventual commercial exposure would therefore depend on how any enacted measure was implemented.<\/p>\n
Section 201 would require the Commerce Department to conduct Section 232 investigations within 90 days of enactment. These would examine whether paper and wood imports impair national security and assess the importance of domestic pulp and paper, hardwood and softwood supply chains. The proposed investigations are not limited to EU suppliers.<\/p>\n
The bill would also require USTR to review existing Section 301 actions and determine whether further measures are needed.<\/p>\n
The US has already used national-security powers against wood imports. A presidential proclamation issued in September 2025 followed a Commerce investigation and imposed a 10% duty on covered softwood timber and lumber imports from 14 October 2025. It also introduced duties on certain wooden furniture and kitchen cabinets. That proclamation instructed Commerce to continue monitoring wood imports and to provide a further assessment of hardwood timber and lumber by 1 October 2026.<\/p>\n
In an announcement on 29 October, Gluesenkamp Perez\u2019s office presented the new package as a response to shrinking markets and mill closures. The sponsors argue that regulatory costs and foreign competition are weakening domestic production. They also contend that the EU deforestation rules disadvantage products from managed American forests.<\/p>\n
The EU describes the regulation as a measure to reduce deforestation and forest degradation associated with consumption. It covers wood alongside six other commodities and specified derived products. Due diligence includes tracing production to its location of origin, allowing authorities to assess whether goods comply with the rules.<\/p>\n
According to the European Commission\u2019s published timetable, the regulation is due to apply to large and medium-sized operators from 30 December 2026. Micro and small operators generally have until 30 June 2027, although those already covered by the EU Timber Regulation face the earlier December deadline.<\/p>\n
The American proposal also contains measures intended to expand domestic demand. The sponsors describe support for biochar and woody biomass, stronger domestic purchasing requirements for federal procurement, and housing finance linked to the use of American wood. They also propose removing tariffs on machinery unavailable from US manufacturers that mills need for investment and modernisation.<\/p>\n
For the timber sector, the package therefore combines pressure on competing imports with incentives for American production and consumption. Its prospects remain a separate question: the official record lists referral to Ways and Means and eight other House committees. It has not become law, and introduction alone changes neither import duties nor companies\u2019 compliance obligations.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The EU\u2019s deforestation rules face a new challenge from Washington, with potential consequences for transatlantic wood trade. Proposed measures would increase pressure on European exporters while strengthening support for the American forest products industry.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":100475,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5204],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-100474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n