United States and China Announce Cooperation on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade

The United States and China have concluded a new Memorandum of Understanding on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade. This is the first-ever commitment between the two countries to focus on addressing the devastating problem of illegal logging and the trade in illegally harvested timber. The Understanding was reached at this week's meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue.

"This joint Understanding clearly demonstrates that we and China recognize our shared responsibilities as the world's largest timber producers, consumers and traders," said Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science Claudia A. McMurray. Action under the Understanding should help conserve forests and their wildlife and reduce deforestation -- a major factor in the global effort to address climate change. Nearly 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions results from deforestation and other land use changes.