WTO and NAFTA don’t see eye to eye in the softwood dispute opposing Canada and the US. According to a preliminary ruling of WTO released on Monday, the billions of dollars in US duties imposed on Canadian softwood lumber imports are not illegal.
However, a NAFTA panel on Aug. 10 dismissed U.S. claims that Canadian softwood exports are subsidized by Ottawa and therefore harm the U.S. lumber industry.
Satisfied by the NAFTA decision three weeks ago, Canadian officials are now infuriated by WTO’s ruling and promise to appeal the decision.
Canadian Trade Minister Jim Peterson said Tuesday that the NAFTA agreement trumped the WTO in disputes involving the United States. "We want the United States to live up to and respect the NAFTA," Peterson said on Tuesday.
Canadian softwood exports to US
| |
Volume (board feet) |
|
Value (US$) |
| |
|
|
|
| Q1 2004 |
4,576,026,629
|
|
1,432,494,894
|
| 2004 |
21,423,264,230 |
|
7,538,493,375
|
| Q1 2005 |
4,894,093,546
|
|
1,730,575,023
|
Additional information on NAFTA’s ruling
|
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