Canada has requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute consultations with the United States regarding new tariff measures its southern neighbour has applied to goods originating in Canada.
The request was circulated to WTO members on March 5.
Canada claims the announced additional US ad valorem duties of 25% on all non-energy goods and 10% on energy goods originating in Canada are inconsistent with various provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement.
The request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO.
Consultations allow the parties to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation.
After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant may request adjudication by a panel.
