The European Commission has moved to impose retaliatory duties on US timber exports over a row about American foreign sales corporations, ruled illegal by the World Trade Organisation.
The Commission wants EU ministers to impose duties of 5% next March 1, rising monthly by 1% to 17% by March 2005.
Timber duties would cover sawn wood products, wooden sheets, boards, plywood and floors, plus non-coniferous hoop-wood, poles, staves, fuel wood, wood chips, sawdust, wood-waste, charcoal and treated wood – soft and hardwood.
