U.S. tries last-ditch defence of softwood lumber stand

[CHIMO]

Vancouver — The U.S. government announced Wednesday it is appealing last month's ruling by an international trade panel that undercut the justification for punitive American duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports.

The office of the U.S. Trade Representative argues a North American Free Trade Agreement dispute panel overstepped its authority in ordering the U.S. International Trade Commission to find Canadian lumber imports posed no threat of injury to U.S. producers.

It intends to ask an extraordinary-challenge committee to overturn the panel's finding, which had effectively negated the reasons for imposing countervailing and anti-dumping duties averaging 27.2 per cent.

An extraordinary challenge is the last appeal available on a NAFTA panel ruling, which carries the weight of law in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041013.wsoft1013/BNStory/National/

[Swede]

1. They do this once a year I believe.

Same old same old.