USTR opens a public hearing with the wood industry

Tonight at 9:30, December 28, 2020, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will open an online hearing with the wood industry.

USTR opens a public hearing with the wood industry

On October 2, 2020, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act to investigate the use of timber allegedly harvested or traded. illegal and currency manipulation of Vietnam. The USTR’s allegations on Vietnam’s wood industry focus on the following key issues.

(1) Vietnam imports a lot of timber, part of which is illegally harvested and traded, contrary to the laws of Vietnam and violates the regulations of the exporting country and regulations. international regulations.

(2) Vietnam imported illegally timber harvested from Cambodia’s protected areas, in violation of Cambodian law and Vietnamese law; A number of Vietnamese local authorities who shared borders with Cambodia assisted in this process.

(3) Vietnam imported timber from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which can also be harvested against the laws of these countries.

(4) Vietnam implicitly maintains illegal cross-border timber trade, violates national laws and Vietnamese laws, violates CITES provisions on endangered flora and fauna trade , rare.

(5) Vietnam does not strictly enforce its own laws on wood import and processing, especially those regarding legal timber origin.

(6) Vietnam uses illegal timber imported in domestic market; a portion of this illegal import is used to produce wood products for export to the United States.

Opposing the above allegations, during the past time, timber associations and businesses have sent a counter-letter to USTR to provide evidence, affirming that Vietnam does not use illegal timber. To fully and publicly explain the above issues, on December 28, 2020, at 9:30 AM (US time) or 9:30 PM in Vietnam, USTR will open a public hearing.

Representing the Vietnamese wood business community, participating in the hearing included 5 associations: Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association, City Fine Arts and Wood Processing Association. Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong Wood Processing Association, Dong Nai Wood and Handicraft Association and Binh Dinh Wood and Forest Products Association Together with 4 companies: Tien Dat, Dai Thanh, Hiep Long, Minh Thanh will participate. Family hearings take place live onlinle tonight.