NEWS

In February, the European Union's total trade surplus shrank by 60%. Exports to the U.S. fell the most — by more than 25% — with U.S. import tariffs of 15% affecting most EU goods. Imports from the U.S. into the EU declined by about 3%.

Read More: EU Trade Surplus Shrinks 60% as U.S. Exports Fall Due to Tariffs → 

On April 13, U.S. Customs & Border Protection published instructions for importers to submit IEEPA tariff refund requests using the new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries tool. As of April 20, importers of record and brokers may submit eligible declarations. For the latest information about IEEPA refunds and CAPE, visit the new IEEPA Duty Refunds webpage.

PHOTO © JAMES TOURTELLOTTE, USCBP

Recent feedback from European stakeholders confirmed that the European Commission is unlikely to change the current language of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Last year’s amendment required the European Commission to propose further changes to simplify the EUDR by the end of April, but the Commission has reiterated that it does not plan to revise the regulation again.

On April 15, the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood submitted comments supporting tariffs under the Section 301 investigations. "The acts, policies, and practices of investigated economies, including Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam, have created and maintained structural excess capacity in the wood products sector, the effects of which burden and restrict U.S. commerce."

The Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association and Columbia Forest Products, supported by Commonwealth Plywood and Rockshield Engineered Wood Products, have filed a trade complaint with the Canada Border Services Agency against China. The complaint alleges that decorative plywood from China has been both dumped and subsidized. On April 10, the CBSA officially initiated an investigation.