United States Appeals World Trade Organizations Ruling on Canadian Lumber Subsidies

The United States announced on Monday, (9/28) that it has appealed a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that favored Canada in the longstanding battle over lumber imports, describing the decision as “deeply flawed”.  The WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed last month with Canada’s complaint that Washington violated trade rules when imposing duties on lumber widely used in construction. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthinzer had immediately disputed the decision as “erroneous” and said they “prevented the United States from taking legitimate action in response to Canada’s pervasive subsidies for its softwood lumber industry.” In a positive note the U.S. representative told the WTO in a meeting that “we are open to discussion with Canada on the way forward in this dispute.”