NEWS RELEASES

April 29, 2005 (3:30 p.m. EDT)
No. 75

CANADA TAKES ACTION ON BYRD AMENDMENT

International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today issued the following statement on behalf of the Government of Canada concerning the U.S. Byrd Amendment:

“Today the Government of Canada, in collaboration with several Canadian domestic stakeholders, launched a challenge against the Byrd Amendment in the U.S. Court of International Trade.

“We believe that the application of the Byrd Amendment to Canada is inconsistent with the specific provisions of U.S. law implementing NAFTA. If successful, the challenge should end the Byrd disbursements to U.S. industries of duties applied on Canadian goods.

“Also on May 1, the Government of Canada will begin imposing a 15 percent surtax on live swine, cigarettes, oysters and certain specialty fish from the United States.

“As I said on March 31, retaliation is not our preferred option, but it is a necessary action given the United States’ failure to comply with the World Trade Organization ruling on the Byrd Amendment. This action sends a clear message to the United States that Canada will defend its trade interests and of the importance of upholding the integrity of the international trade regime.

“The Government of Canada and other U.S. trading partners continue to urge the United States to repeal the Byrd Amendment. The European Union will also start implementing retaliation on May 1, 2005.”

The Byrd Amendment allows U.S. producers to receive anti-dumping and countervailing duties from foreign competitors. Further information on the Byrd Amendment and Canada’s retaliation can be found on the International Trade Canada Web site at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/disp/byrd-main-en.asp.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office
International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca