WTO TO DETERMINE CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER’s THREAT TO U.S. PRODUCERS

WTO TO DETERMINE CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBERÆS THREAT TO U.S. PRODUCERS    The Canadian government has requested a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel to determine the economic threat of its softwood lumber exports on U.S. producers.
   The Canadian government specifically questions whether the recent findings by the U.S. International Trade Commission, alleging softwood lumber dumping, are in line with the U.S. government’s obligations to the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
   The ITC and U.S. Commerce Department believe Canadian softwood lumber is subsidized and sold to the U.S. importers at less than fair market value.
   The U.S. Trade Representative Office will take comments in preparation for the WTO panel from the public through June 30. For more information, contact Theodore R. Posner, assistant general counsel for the USTR, at (202) 395-3582.