Representatives serving on the Lumber and Wood Products ISAC provide advice on trade policy matters. Recently, members of the Lumber and Wood Products ISAC have provided advice on a range of issues that included: international negotiations related to the World Trade Organization (WTO); new trade relations with China, Vietnam, Jordan, countries of the Newly Independent States, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); Japan and their ongoing deregulation of their domestic housing market. The Lumber and Wood Products ISAC provided recommendations on a tariff package negotiated with the Japanese Government. ISAC representatives also provided advice on issues needing to be addressed in a very short-time frame such as the latest tariff offers by certain countries prior to WTO accession; expert advice on international phytosanitary regulations, and other pressing matters facing the industry. 

Representatives serving on the ISAC on Lumber and Wood Products have a voice in U.S. trade policy formulation through the Industry Consultations Program (ICP), which emerged from the 1974 Trade Act, to ensure that trade negotiators were coordinating with the private sector during trade negotiations. Based on the program's success, the ICP was renewed and expanded by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 and the Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. The Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and other agencies work side-by-side with business leaders who serve as advisors to the U.S. Government. The Department of Commerce and USTR have joint responsibility for operating the advisory committees of the ICP.

Eligibility for Membership on the Lumber and Wood Products ISAC
Committee members are U.S. citizens representing U.S. manufacturing or service firms in the lumber and wood products industry, trade internationally, and have a special interest in and knowledge of international trade issues. Representatives of industry associations may also participate. Additional information can be found on the Industry Consultations Program's website at www.ita.doc.gov/icp or by contacting: