SOFTWOOD LUMBER DISPUTE TAKEN TO WTO

SOFTWOOD LUMBER DISPUTE TAKEN TO WTO    The Canadian government has requested consultations through the World Trade Organization to settle a bitter dispute over softwood lumber imported into the United States.
   The Canadian government would like the WTO to review the findings of the U.S. Commerce Department and International Trade Commission in which the agencies allege the threat of injury to U.S. lumber producers from lower-priced Canadian softwood lumber imports.
   In its request to the WTO, the Canadian government alleges that the Commerce Department and ITC is inconsistent with the antidumping and countervailing duty provisions of the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
   To build its defense, the U.S. Trade Representative has requested comments from the industry. Comments related to the Commerce Department findings should be e-mailed to USTR at FR0064@ustr.gov, attention: “DS264 Dispute.” Comments related to the ITC’s findings should be e-mailed to USTR at FR0062@ustr.gov, attention: “Lumber Injury Dispute.” They may also be faxed to Sandy McKinzy at 202-395-3640.