Brussels, 30/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is "very preoccupied" by a new provision taken in the United States in view of returning to American companies the revenue from anti-dumping duties imposed against their foreign competitors. "It is not only a problem between the European Union and the United State, but between the United States and the rest of the world", underlined the spokesperson.
The provision, proposed by the democrat Senator Robert Byrd under pressure from the steel industry, enables to make American companies benefit from the revenue of taxes imposed on their competitors convicted of dumping practices. If it is the American industry that benefits, "we are creating a vicious circle that is extremely dangerous", warns Brussels. Canada and Japan have already protested, with the Union, against this "serious violation" that could "create a new serious commercial problem". The three had called on the power to veto of the head of the White House to scupper the Byrd project. Though after its adoption by Congress, last 18 October, in the framework of a legislation on agricultural spending (see following article) that integrates another controversial amendment concerning Cuba, the text was nevertheless signed by the President of the United States. "I decided that, all said and done, this law goes in the interest of the American people", he explained, while saying that he is aware of the "objections" it raises. Bill Clinton them called on Congress to "neutralise" the Byrd provision through future legislation.