ENRD statement on the results of the return from the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry in China

ENRD statement on the results of the return from the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry in China

    Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (ENRD) made the statement after his speech as head of the U.S. delegation to the Ministerial meeting on forestry, held as part of the meeting of senior officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in China in 2026. In addition to ENRD, the U.S. delegation included representatives of the State Department, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Key results of the meeting

    Adam Gustafson noted that the United States had achieved a number of important successes at this meeting. The parties agreed on a joint ministerial statement reflecting the priorities of the United States in balance with the priorities of other APEC members.

"I was pleased to lead the U.S. delegation to the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry. We have agreed on a joint ministerial statement reflecting the priorities of the United States in balance with the priorities of other APEC members."

Combating illegal timber trade

    Gustafson emphasized the U.S. commitment to combating the illegal timber trade, which is the subject of President Trump's Executive Order No. 14223.

Specific US actions:

•     Recent guilty pleas by a yacht and paper manufacturer who profited from illegal trade in forest resources.
•     - ENRD is ready to prosecute environmental crimes.
•     - ENRD is the co-chair of the interagency group dedicated to improving investigations of illegal timber trade.
•     Participation in the Task Force on Combating Trade Fraud, which helps to prosecute smugglers and those who try to evade payment of tariffs and duties.

"Illegal timber trade damages American businesses by creating unequal competition conditions. We are rebuilding our global relations to put America first. We are working with our partners at APEC to remove barriers to business; support employment growth; and promote fair, legitimate, and mutually beneficial trade, including in the woodworking industry."

Key provisions of the US statement:

Partnerships and international cooperation

    Gustafson said that the United States has recently concluded historic agreements and established partnerships with APEC countries and members to support law enforcement efforts.

"While we recognize the prevalence of illegal timber trade, the United States is leading an increasingly proactive response to these crimes. My participation in APEC highlighted these encouraging trends and encouraged our trading partners to continue to participate in the investigation and prosecution of illegal timber trade."

Importance for APEC countries, including China

    For APEC member countries, including China, the US statement has several important aspects:

1. - Strengthening control over the illegal timber trade. The United States intends to actively investigate and prosecute cases of illegal trade, including the use of timber from illegal sources in production chains.
2. - Increase the transparency of supply chains. Companies working with wood will have to provide documentary evidence of the legitimate origin of the raw materials in order to avoid prosecution and tariff risks.
3. - Strengthening international cooperation. The United States will work with APEC partners to remove barriers to trade, support employment growth, and promote fair and mutually beneficial trade.
4. - Impact on exporters to China. China, as the largest importer of wood and producer of wood products, should take into account the tightening of US controls. This may affect companies using timber from countries with a high risk of illegal logging.
5.  

Result

    The APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry in China ended with the adoption of a joint statement reflecting the balance of interests of all participants. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to combating the illegal timber trade, as well as its intention to strengthen international cooperation and ensure fair business conditions.

    For the Chinese timber industry, this means that it is necessary to strengthen control over the origin of wood and the compliance of supply chains with international requirements. With increasing attention to the problem of illegal logging, transparency and legality are becoming not just a requirement of regulatory authorities, but a competitive advantage in global markets.

Tags: #APEC #forestry #China #USA #illegal timber trade #international cooperation #environmental crimes #enforcement