The 32nd South China International Exhibition on Printing Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has formally called on the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to grant an exemption for Brazilian Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft (BEK) Pulp (HTS Code 4703.29.0100) from potential Section 301 tariffs. In comments submitted to the USTR, AF&PA emphasized that this essential raw material cannot be commercially sourced domestically and is vital to the competitiveness of the U.S. tissue paper industry, which supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs.

U.S. Tissue Industry Relies on Specialized Brazilian Pulp
The U.S. paper manufacturing sector depends heavily on imported BEK pulp due to its unique fiber properties—including superior softness, strength, and absorbency—that are essential for producing high-quality tissue, towel, and sanitary paper products. Brazil’s climate allows for large-scale eucalyptus cultivation, while limited suitable growing regions in the United States, such as parts of coastal California and Hawaii, cannot meet commercial demand.

Tariffs Would Raise Costs, Threaten Jobs and Competitiveness
Imposing tariffs on this critical input would significantly increase production costs for U.S. manufacturers, reducing profitability and undermining the ability of American-made tissue products to compete domestically and globally. Such cost pressures could shift market share to foreign competitors and put at risk the 925,000 direct jobs supported by the forest products industry, particularly in rural communities. Each job in the sector supports an additional 3.25 jobs through supplier networks and local economies.

AF&PA Highlights Sustainable Sourcing and Legal Compliance
AF&PA reinforced that its members are committed to responsible sourcing, procuring wood pulp only from certified sustainable plantations that comply with leading certification programs like the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC). The association emphasized that these supply chains are not associated with illegal deforestation, a key concern under the ongoing Section 301 investigation.

The association also voiced strong support for the Lacey Act, which prohibits trade in illegally harvested plant and wood products, and collaborates closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure enforcement and supply chain transparency.

Calls for Policy Consistency and Supply Chain Stability
Citing a prior decision under Executive Order 14323, which excluded eucalyptus pulp from tariff measures, AF&PA urged USTR to maintain a consistent trade policy that protects U.S. manufacturing stability and supply chain continuity.

The USTR is expected to hold a public hearing on September 3rd as part of its broader investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, including digital trade, intellectual property, ethanol, and deforestation.

About AF&PA
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) is the national trade association representing the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and wood products manufacturing industry. AF&PA advocates for policies that promote sustainable industry practices and advance a circular value chain.

Source: Paper Asia