A study by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. It assesses the incremental economic and environmental impacts resulting from changes in the timing and scope of forest products tariff reductions as proposed in the Accelerated Tariff Liberalization (ATL) initiative in forest products. This initiative was proposed for agreement among member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The analysis of environmental effects focuses on possible changes in timber harvest, in the U.S. and worldwide, and rests directly on an analysis of the economic (trade, production, and consumption) effects of the initiative.

Trade liberalization has swept over developing countries over the past few decades and its results have been argued about for the last few years. This important new book presents useful insights into the experience of APEC countries that have gone through numerous liberalizing reforms in recent times. Students, researchers and readers generally interested in APEC economies will find this book a good addition to their bookshelves.

The world is shrinking faster than ever. Goods, money, microbes, pollution, people and ideas are crossing boundaries ever more frequently. The implications for our future and for the health of the planet are profound. Vanishing Borders outlines the ecological challenges posed and then goes on to define the necessary strategies for tackling them. Presently, national governments are singularly ill-equipped for tackling transitional environmental problems-from ozone depletion to soaring trade in commodities such as timbre- problems which are climbing ever higher on the international political agenda. Industrial and developing countries are on a collision course over climate change, and water shortages are creating tensions in several parts of the world. The author argues that only a worldwide commitment to strengthening treaties and institutions needed to integrate ecological considerations into the rules of global commerce holds out hope. Over 200 international environmental treaties exist but most need more stringent conditions and enforcement, and continuing support from NGO and business communities. Significantly, the digital revolution, integral in itself to processes to globalization, offers channels through which powerful coalitions can effect change. The book provides a compelling and accessible analysis and a clear plan of action in pursuit of environmental stability. Originally published in 2000

This study projects the effects of tariff elimination on the world forest products sector. Projections were done for 2 scenarios: (1) progressive tariff elimination according to the schedule agreed to under the current General Agreement on Tariff or Trade (GATT); & (2) complete elimination of tariff on wood products as proposed within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Accelerated Tariff Liberalization (ATL) initiative. Projections were made by using the global forest products model, which provides equilibrium projections of prices & quantities produced, consumed, & traded for 14 commodity groups. Key assumptions include rates of economic growth, availability of wood, demand (price) elasticities, & tariff scenarios. Charts & tables.