BRAZIL –   Brazil’s timber industry has voiced serious concerns over the effects of US tariffs of up to 50% on wood products.

In August 2025, the Paraná Association of Forest-Based Companies (APRE Florestas) met with the State Secretariat of Finance (Sefa) to discuss the consequences of the new measures on exports from the state.

Between January and June 2025, Paraná shipped nearly all of its forestry exports to the US market, including moldings (98%, USD 102 million), wooden doors (96%, USD 34 million), pine plywood (34%, USD 100 million), and pine sawnwood (33%, USD 26 million).

According to the Federation of Industries of Paraná (FIEP), the crisis threatens more than 38,000 jobs and could affect 67% of the state’s municipalities.

APRE has called for urgent measures, including state-level public procurement programs for wood products, faster reimbursement of the ICMS tax at every stage of the export process, and an update of Paraná’s Forestry Law to strengthen legal certainty and sector sustainability.

The situation is further complicated by ongoing US investigations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act —which examines whether imports threaten national security— and Section 301 of the Trade Act, which allows unilateral trade retaliation.

In this context, APRE is urging stronger government coordination to protect Paraná’s forestry sector, safeguard jobs, and ensure the state’s continued relevance in international trade.