UNITED STATES - HARBOUR MAINTENANCE TAX

                                                     Request to Join Consultations

                                                     Communication from Canada

        The following communication, dated 26 February 1998, from the Permanent Mission of Canada to the Permanent Mission of the United States, to the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission and to the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.

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        Pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, the Government of Canada hereby notifies you that due to its substantial trade interest, it desires to be joined in the consultations under Article XXII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 requested by the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission in Geneva in a letter dated 6 February 1998 (WT/DS118/1;  16 February 1998), concerning the US Harbour Maintenance Tax, which was introduced by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 and amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, including any subsequent amendments made and any implementing regulations issued (hereafter referred to as “HMT”).