SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Strategies & Market Trends : Fascist Oligarchs Attack Cute Cuddly Canadians

 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Snowshoe who wrote (1158)12/12/2004 6:21:37 PM
From: Snowshoe   of 1293
 
U.S. lumber companies get duty cheques under Byrd Amendment: report

Fri Dec 10, 8:13 PM ET

VANCOUVER (CP) - The U.S. government apparently has begun distributing some proceeds of duties collected from Canadian softwood exporters to American lumber producers under the controversial Byrd Amendment.

The Random Lengths Woodwire industry news service reported Friday word of the distribution came from the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association.

The total money distributed amounted to only $5.4 million US, a fraction of the more than $3 billion US collected from Canadian lumber exporters since countervailing and anti-dumping duties were imposed in May 2002.

The funds were taken from duties collected from importers that did not appeal the duties. The rest of the money is deposited in U.S. Customs escrow accounts until various appeals are completed.

Canadian lumber firms have challenged the duties, averaging 27.2 per cent, under North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade Organization (news - web sites) rules.

The deposit rates are expected to drop when the U.S. Commerce Department (news - web sites) issues revised duty rates next week.

The Byrd Amendment itself has been ruled illegal under WTO rules but the U.S. government has not yet repealed it.

The legislation gives U.S. companies deemed to have been injured by unfair imports the right to apply for duties collected on the offending products.

The WTO has given Canada and several other countries the right to retaliate against an array of American products for the United States' violation of international trade law.

The duties were imposed after American lumber producers complained Canadian softwood sold into the U.S. market enjoyed an unfair advantage because of subsidies through low Crown stumpage fees and other provincial forestry policies.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext