USTR, in 'unprecedented' action, directs block of Peruvian timber imports

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, in what he called an “unprecedented enforcement action,” today directed Customs and Border Protection to block timber imports from a Peruvian exporter the U.S. says engaged in illegal harvesting practices. By invoking a never-before used timber verification provision in the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, Lighthizer took the action against Peru-based Inversiones Oroza after Peru found the company engaged in illegal logging activities. The Forest Sector Governance Annex mechanism, included in the environment chapter of the...