PPRC Position on International Trade
Wood Products Industry workers support the elimination of barriers that lead to an uneven
playing field regarding International Trade.
- In order to do business in the United States, products manufactured in America must meet or exceed all environmental regulations. Our industries are impacted by the lack of regulations elsewhere in the world.
- Competing nations have extremely high tariffs on finished wood and paper products from the United States but have open access to American markets that are virtually duty free.
- Competing nations eagerly allow “raw” materials to be imported duty free, thereby causing the loss of good American jobs.
- Competing nations provide subsidies and tax incentives for investments in their forest product industries.
- Competing nations selectively enforce environmental regulations and lack either appropriations or agencies to enforce existing environmental regulations.
- Developing nations lack initiative or incentives to enforce environmental regulations.
- Developing nations do not face environmental standards or rigid enforcement and do not have sustainable reforestation plans.
The PPRC seeks a balanced solution from Congress and the Administration.
- We must not promote de-industrialization in America at the expense of human misery and environmental degradation elsewhere.
- Imported products from competing nations need to be manufactured under the same environmental standards as products manufactured by American industries.
- No American jobs should be jeopardized by unfair trade standards.
- Future trade negotiations must take into consideration the impact on American industry and its workers.
- The PPRC wants forest management practices that will supply competitively priced fiber for our industries in an environmentally responsible manner.
The PPRC is a grassroots organization representing the interests of the nation's pulp, paper,
solid wood products, and other natural resource-based workers. The U.S. forest products industry
is vitally important to our nation's economy, employing 1.5 million people. We rank among the top
10 manufactures in 46 states with annual sales exceeding $230 billion, which accounts for 7% of the
U.S. manufacturing shipments. We are people dedicated to conserving the environment while taking into
account the economic stability of the workforce and surrounding community.
Position Paper Page
Rev. 02-02-08
