WTO Grievances: Strong and Enforceable Dispute Settlement Mechanisms Necessary for Effective Trade

Ottawa, January 12, 2018- The Canadian Chamber of Commerce continues to closely follow the recent developments concerning Canada's request for consultations at the WTO on the United States' use of trade remedy measures.

'The U.S. and Canada share one of the largest and most integrated trade relationships in the world. While disputes are bound to happen, they must not define our relationship. Just as good fences make good neighbours, strong and enforceable dispute settlement mechanisms ensure that everyone is treated fairly. The events of the last couple of days underline the need for a fair and effective rules-based system, without exception,' said the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

In the rules-based system represented by the WTO, independent, impartial dispute resolution is a critical tool for maintaining peaceful trade. These mechanisms serve to protect our industries against unfair trade practices and are relied upon by all countries, including Canada, to ensure that trading relationships follow a core set of accepted norms.

Ultimately, the events of the past few days underline the case we at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have made in the past: that robust and enforceable trade dispute settlement mechanisms are critical to any successful trading relationship.

'The U.S. penalties on Canadian newsprint put the interests of one paper mill ahead of hundreds of U.S. community newspapers that are struggling to survive. It's an example of protectionism run wild and ignores the concerns of U.S. publishers who need reasonably priced inputs to stay afloat,' said Mr. Beatty.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce calls on both the Canadian and the U.S. government to continue to work towards a softwood lumber agreement, and, along with Mexico, to continue to modernize the crucial North American Free Trade Agreement on which our industries and workers so critically rely upon.

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The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the federal government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 200,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. Follow us on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom.

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Contact

Guillaum W. Dubreuil
Senior Director, Public Affairs and Media Relations
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
613.797.1860
[e-mail]