The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) is urging the European Union to address what it describes as persistent non-tariff trade barriers following the EU’s decision to delay implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
In a statement released after the regulation’s final passage was postponed, AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock said the delay represents an important step toward resolving what the association views as fundamental compliance and administrative challenges embedded in the regulation.
According to AF&PA, while the postponement offers temporary relief to U.S. producers, the regulation continues to function as a technical and non-tariff barrier to trade for American forest products companies, putting more than US$3.5 billion in annual exports to the EU at risk.
Brock called on European policymakers to use the delay period to conduct a constructive review aimed at simplifying the regulation and aligning its requirements with actual deforestation risk. She emphasized that the U.S. forest products sector poses a negligible contribution to global deforestation, a factor that AF&PA says is not adequately reflected in the current framework.
The association also welcomed ongoing U.S. trade engagement with the EU, citing recent bilateral discussions that seek to ensure fair and reciprocal market access. AF&PA expressed hope that continued dialogue would lead to regulatory adjustments that preserve trade flows while maintaining environmental objectives.
AF&PA represents a U.S. forest products industry that employs more than 925,000 people, primarily in rural communities, and ranks among the top manufacturing employers in the majority of U.S. states. The sector accounts for roughly 4.7% of total U.S. manufacturing GDP, producing over US$435 billion in goods annually, while advancing long-standing sustainability commitments through industry-wide initiatives.
Source: AF&PA
