Afpa Urges Eu To Address Eudr Trade Barriers

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) welcomes the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) implementation delay as vital temporary relief but presses the EU to fix technical flaws and non-tariff barriers endangering over $3.5 billion in annual U.S. forest products trade with Europe. AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock highlighted the delay's potential for regulatory simplification, stressing proportional measures that acknowledge the U.S. industry's negligible global deforestation risk amid persistent compliance burdens. The association commended U.S. trade officials for upholding the August joint trade statement, advocating for a fair, reciprocal partnership through constructive EU review processes. This stance underscores ongoing transatlantic tensions in paper and packaging supply chains, where EUDR threatens market access despite strong U.S. sustainable forestry standards. Stakeholders expect EU revisions to balance environmental goals with economic realities in global trade.