NEWS

Wood production, processing, and export is one of Vietnam's top industries. After the U.S. imposed reciprocal duties of 20% on imports from Vietnam and 40% on any imports involving illegal transshipment, and launched an investigation into Vietnam's wood and furniture imports, the country is reassessing its strategy. "These moves are creating prolonged uncertainty for the wood processing industry," said a representative of the Vietnam wood industry.

The American Hardwood Export Council analyzed the likelihood of EU retaliatory tariffs in its most recent Europe Market Report. On August 5, the EU announced that retaliatory tariffs on U.S. hardwoods would be delayed by six months. As of right now, no tariffs are levied on U.S. hardwood products; the full details are in AHEC's report.

Alabama landowners won a decisive victory in August, as a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service had overreached when it declared more than 39,000 acres a "critical habitat" for the black pine snake, without providing credible evidence. The ruling sets an important precedent that requires federal agencies to support critical habitat designations with rigorous science and economic impact assessments.

German equipment manufacturers called for revisions and a two-year delay of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), stating that the complexity of the regulation could severely disrupt supply chains and harm European industry. The German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association described the law as "bureaucratic madness" and stated that implementing it would burden companies with impractical documentation requirements.

The U.S. Forest Service announced that it intends to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which restricts timber harvesting on about 45 million acres of National Forest System lands. Comments are due by Friday, September 19. The rule should be finalized in late 2026.

PHOTO © BROCK MARTIN, USFS