Forest Industries Call for End to Tariffs

The national forest industries of the United States, Canada and four other countries have called for an end to all trade barriers in wood products, saying it would save companies millions of dollars in duties.

Negotiations at the Geneva-based World Trade Organization, due to end by 2005, are designed to reduce trade barriers to goods as well as open commercial services markets.

The U.S. industry pays about $120 million in annual duties, and exports about $19 billion worth of products, according to the American Forest & Paper Assn., which represents companies including Weyerhaeser Co. and International Paper Co. The group also includes New Zealand, Australia, Chile and South Africa.