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WTO ruling stands in final softwood report (invalid under international trade law)
Globe and Mail ^ | Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | ROMA LUCIW

Posted on 08/29/2003 4:39:16 PM PDT by Patriotways

WTO ruling stands in final softwood report

The World Trade Organization made public Friday the final report of an earlier ruling on the countervailing duties the United States has imposed on imports of Canadian softwood lumber.

The WTO decision, one of many in the long-standing $10-billion softwood lumber war between Canada and its neighbour, found that the United States failed to prove key elements of its case justifying punitive countervailing duties of 18.79 per cent on Canadian exports of softwood timber.

Essentially, the WTO recognized that provincial timber sales programs provide benefits to Canadian producers, but rejected the way the United States tallied the duty.

Canadian government spokesman André Lemay told globeandmail.com Friday that "there has not been any change" in the government's stance from when the interim WTO decision was released in May.

At the time, Ottawa said the WTO ruling would strengthen Canada's hand at the bargaining table to seek a negotiated end to the costly lumber fight.

"What we have been saying all along is that we are seeking free trade in softwood lumber. We are still looking for unfettered access to the U.S. market," Mr. Lemay said.

Now that the final WTO report has been published, one or both countries have 60 days to file an appeal, he said.

Talks between the countries to resolve the dispute have broken down.

As was the case in May, both sides were quick to call the Friday report a victory.

"This is a victory for both the U.S. lumber industry and the environment," Richard Mills, a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative's Office, told Reuters.

"A WTO panel has again upheld key aspects of U.S. action in the ongoing softwood lumber dispute with Canada. The panel agreed with the U.S. on the two most important points of the cases," Mr. Mills said.

John Allan, president of the B.C. Lumber Trade Council, which speaks on behalf of the major producers in the province, said Friday the report proves the U.S. countervailing tariffs violate U.S. obligations under the WTO agreements.

"The U.S. Department of Commerce has invented a subsidy where none exists," Mr. Allan said. "The WTO panel has again agreed with Canada that cross-border comparisons are invalid under international trade law."


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Canada; Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: freetrade; international; law; lumber; softwood; trade; wto
Why have The U.S. Department of Commerce ?
1 posted on 08/29/2003 4:39:17 PM PDT by Patriotways
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To: Patriotways
Why have a President? The office of President will eventually be about as powerful as a mayor's office. God I dread what will happen to this country in the future. Were all going to be one-world and one big happy family. I'm sure its going to work well.sarcasm
2 posted on 08/29/2003 5:01:00 PM PDT by Finalapproach29er ("Don't shoot Mongo, you'll only make him mad.")
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To: Finalapproach29er
Check the book of Revelations. We are right on schedule.
3 posted on 08/29/2003 5:31:38 PM PDT by jokar (Beware the White European Male Christian theological complex !!)
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To: Patriotways
Ok guys I'm a bit concerned, when was the last time the US won a WTO ruling.
4 posted on 08/29/2003 5:41:26 PM PDT by taxcontrol (People are entitled to their opinion - no matter how wrong it is.)
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To: taxcontrol
June.
5 posted on 08/29/2003 5:52:49 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: 1rudeboy
What did we win?
6 posted on 08/29/2003 9:09:55 PM PDT by taxcontrol (People are entitled to their opinion - no matter how wrong it is.)
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To: taxcontrol
Of course, there might be a more recent ruling than June, as I am going from memory:

US Wins WTO Ruling on India Challenge to Textile Rules

7 posted on 08/30/2003 1:50:06 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: 1rudeboy
Why have The U.S. Department of Commerce ?
8 posted on 08/30/2003 1:54:42 PM PDT by Patriotways
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To: Patriotways
Why not?
9 posted on 08/30/2003 2:00:05 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: 1rudeboy
WTO
10 posted on 08/30/2003 2:07:26 PM PDT by Patriotways
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To: 1rudeboy
WTO
11 posted on 08/30/2003 2:07:40 PM PDT by Patriotways
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To: 1rudeboy
Truman and the United Nations


http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/un/large/
12 posted on 08/30/2003 2:09:05 PM PDT by Patriotways
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To: Patriotways
I really didn't expect you to answer my question, but now I see that my expectation is confirmend.
13 posted on 08/30/2003 2:12:47 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: 1rudeboy
The Principle of States Rights
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/808641/posts
14 posted on 08/30/2003 6:30:54 PM PDT by Patriotways
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To: Patriotways
Ho-hum. [drumming fingers]
15 posted on 08/30/2003 10:19:31 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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