Brussels, 04/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Bush Administration has expressed “disappointment” at the European Commission's proposal to impose trade sanctions as of 1 May this year in the Byrd Amendment affair (see EUROPE of 8918). “We're disappointed that this step is being taken”, the spokesman for the US Trade Representative (USTR), Richard Mills), said. “The United States is working to comply with the WTO's decision regarding the Byrd Amendment. It's important to remember that the WTO decision in the dispute does not affect our underlying trade laws. The United States will continue to vigorously implement our trade laws to make sure Americans are treated fairly”, the spokesman said.
In the meantime, Canada (which was one of the seven other complainants at the WTO against the American law) announced that it, too, would impose sanctions against Washington as of 1 May. After the fashion of the EU, Canada will apply additional 15% customs duties on a number of products imported from the United States.