USTR Wants Peru to Verify Timber Import to US Was Lawful

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative asked Peru to verify that a 2015 timber shipment from that country to the U.S. complied with Peruvian laws and regulations, USTR said (here). “Today’s announcement is an important step forward in our shared commitment to combat illegal logging, which threatens our environment and the legitimate businesses that are abiding by the rules,” U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a statement. “We look forward to working closely with Peru as it conducts this verification.” The move drew praise from Congressional Democrats, including Senate Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden, Ore., and House Ways and Means Ranking Member Sandy Levin, Mich.

Levin said in a statement (here) that Peru’s record on implementing environmental obligations under the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) is “deeply troubling,” as illegal logging is still a “pervasive problem.” Wyden commended USTR’s first-time action under the PTPA. “The Peru trade deal helped put Peru on the right track when it comes to protecting its forests, but much more must be done to ensure that agreement lives up to its potential to stop illegal loggers who are threatening the forests and the livelihoods of lawful timber producers,” Wyden said in a statement (here). “Today’s action will help strengthen the hands of trade enforcers in both Peru and the United States to protect the forests from destruction and law-abiding companies from unfair trade.”