NEWS RELEASES
December 22, 2004 (2:30 p.m. EST)
No. 155
UPDATE ON BYRD CONSULTATIONS
International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today issued the following statement on the
public consultations concerning the Byrd Amendment:
“On November 23, 2004, the Government of Canada launched consultations with
Canadians on possible trade retaliation against the United States in response to the
U.S. failure to comply with the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling on the Byrd
Amendment. The Byrd Amendment, which allows U.S. companies to receive anti-dumping and countervailing duties collected from foreign competitors, was found to be
illegal under the WTO.
“With public consultations having formally ended on December 20, the Government’s
priority now is to review the comments received from Canadian stakeholders. We are
pleased that so many Canadians, representing a range of interests, have taken part in
the consultation process. Once the comments are assessed, the Government will make
its decision public. In the meantime, Canada will continue to work with allies including
the European Union and Japan as it explores retaliatory measures. Canada urges the
United States to repeal the Byrd Amendment and comply with its WTO obligations.
“Canada is considering ways in which it can effectively defend Canada’s interests,
including selective and strategic retaliation consistent with our WTO rights. In doing so,
we will continue to work with stakeholders from across the country. It is clear from what
we saw out of the U.S. last week on softwood lumber that Canada must strongly
advocate its case so that its views are heard south of the border.”
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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
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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