Canada requests WTO dispute panel in softwood case against U.S.

Canada requested that the World Trade Organization (WTO) form a dispute panel to adjudicate its challenge over U.S. antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber, a Canadian government spokesperson confirmed Friday.    Canada on March 15 requested that the World Trade Organization (WTO) form a dispute panel to adjudicate its challenge over U.S. antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber, a Canadian government spokesperson confirmed in a Friday email.
   The WTO added the issue to its agenda for the next WTO Dispute Settlement Body meeting scheduled for March 27, the spokesperson said.
   The Commerce Department on Jan. 3 announced CV duties of 3.34 percent to 17.99 percent and AD duties of 6.04 percent to 7.28 percent on softwood lumber imports from Canada, after the International Trade Commission on Dec. 7, issued affirmative AD and CV duty final injury determinations in the cases.
   Canada in November requested WTO consultations over U.S. plans to assess the duties. Consultations are the first stage in the WTO dispute process, and they must proceed for at least 60 days before any involved country can request formation of a dispute panel.