The New Zealand trade negotiations minister has called on Malaysia and other trading partners to join an alliance to oppose rising tariffs on processed wood products around the world.

Jim Sutton made the remarks following a meeting in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian international trade and industry minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.

“Both we and Malaysia are concerned over the level of escalating tariffs,” he said. “They are becoming pretty widespread around the world.”

&#8220 We would like to see tariff peaks reduced steadily in the area of forest products so that we have a fair opportunity to add value in our own economy prior to exports ”

Jim Sutton, New Zealand trade negotiations minister

He added that New Zealand is looking to increase its income from its timber industry by further processing and that tariffs could hinder this.

“We would like to see tariff peaks reduced steadily in the area of forest products so that we have a fair opportunity to add value in our own economy prior to exports,” he said.