USTRSection 301Completed

Notice of Public Hearing in Section 301 Investigation of Vietnam's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to the Import and Use of Illegal Timber

Dec 28, 2020 · 2:00 PM EST

Why review: Watch for §301 review scope, exclusions, retaliation, or comment-window signals.

Scope

Section 301Tariff§301

Pre-hearing brief

USTR is conducting a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam's handling of illegally sourced timber, and a finding that those practices burden or restrict U.S. commerce could lead to trade actions against Vietnam. Importers of Vietnamese wood products should monitor this proceeding closely given the potential for tariff or other remedial measures.

The investigation concerns Vietnam and is focused on acts, policies, and practices related to the import and use of illegally sourced timber. No specific HS headings or timber species are named in the linked signals.

What to watch

Public hearing scheduled for 2020-12-28; monitor USTR docket for participation deadlines and submission requirements
USTR determination on whether Vietnam's timber practices burden or restrict U.S. commerce, which would be the trigger for any trade action
Scope of products that could be covered by potential trade actions, not yet defined in the linked signals

On the policy arc

Official actions this hearing connects to across the primary sources Traverse tracks.

CongressDec 10, 2020
CRS In Focus IF11683: Section 301 Investigations - Vietnam Timber Trade and Currency Practices
FR noticeDec 28, 2020
USTR Section 301 Hearing Scheduled on Vietnam Illegal Timber Practices

Materials

Announcement