Are developing countries justified in adopting protectionist measures to assist their newly built pulp and paper plants?
The issue is a complex one, says Pedro M. Picornell, but the basic answer is yes. For another view, see the article by Salah El Serafy that follows. LOGS READY FOR LOADING: who gains – and who loses – from free trade? ยท For many years, the markets for paper and paperboard products in developing countries were of limited interest to the pulp and paper industry in the developed world. Demand was small and usually handled by established Western traders. These traders, some of whom became very interesting figures, usually represented a number of mills in the developed world and covered considerable ground. When there was an oversupply of paper and board, these products were readily available but quite expensive. When supply was tight, paper and board products were simply unavailable unless one paid the price, which was very, very expensive. As the economies of the developing countries began to expand in the late 1950s and through the 1970s, the markets for paper and paperboard began to inc
