Good News

[mbarrick]

NAFTA Panel Orders U.S. to Correct Flawed Anti-Dumping Determination
July 17, 2003

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew welcomed today's NAFTA panel decision, which states that the United States' application of anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber was inconsistent with U.S. domestic law. The NAFTA panel has ordered the U.S. Department of Commerce to issue a new determination within 60 days.

"The panel told the U.S. to correct its flawed determination," said Minister Pettigrew. "Canada will continue to pursue all avenues to defend its softwood lumber industry, including its other WTO and NAFTA challenges."

The NAFTA anti-dumping challenge has been led by the Canadian softwood lumber industry and deals with company-specific issues, including pricing practices.

In May 2002, the United States imposed both a countervailing duty and an anti-dumping duty on Canada's softwood lumber exports. Canada is currently fighting both through the World Trade Organization (WTO) and NAFTA. On May 27, 2003, Minister Pettigrew welcomed the news that a WTO panel's interim decision supported Canada's claim that Canadian provincial stumpage programs are not subsidies. A final decision in that case is expected to be released on July 22, 2003. The results of other legal challenges are expected later this summer and fall. The Government of Canada is working closely with the provinces and industry on these challenges.


http://webapps.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.asp?FileSpec=/Min_Pub_Docs/106316.htm&Language=E

Comments

[seymour-glass.livejournal.com]

so if all their duties were found illegal would they have to pay back the duties they had collected??? seems to me you should be able to pursue damages in such a case...after all under nafta if you prevent a company from importing toxic chemicals they can sue you for lost profits...would only make sense the lumber companies should be able to do the same...and shove a douglas fir up that guy from the american lumber coalition (rusty?)'s ass...

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

Yup, Rusty. Rusty Wood, believe it or not. As far as returning the monies collected this article (http://www.nationalpost.com/components/printstory/printstory.asp?id=fe21bdf8-bc14-4c7d-a408-a72dbe6f5ed8) from the National Post pretty much covers it.