The European Union and the United States have reached an agreement confirming that US goods such as beef, soy and timber, do not pose a deforestation risk under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Currently, the EU classifies exporting countries as low, standard, or high risk, with the US considered a low-risk country. However, European policymakers are now seeking to create a new category—"negligible risk"—that would further reduce due diligence requirements for countries that meet this standard. The proposal has strong support from EU agriculture ministers and the European Parliament, and recent documents clarify what "negligible risk" status would mean in practice.

Supporters argue that this step would simplify compliance procedures and strengthen ties between the EU and the US. However, critics warn that it could create loopholes that could allow goods linked to deforestation to enter Europe via the US. Others also warn that granting such status solely to the United States could spark trade disputes at the WTO, if similar treatment were not extended to other major exporters, such as Indonesia and Malaysia. In short, while the new measure could streamline regulations, it could sldo threaten to undermine the credibility of the EUDR if applied unevenly.