UNITED STATES – RECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN
SUGAR SYRUPS
Request for Consultations by Canada
The
following communication, dated 6 September 1999, from the Permanent Mission of
Canada to the Permanent Mission of the United States and to the Chairman of the
Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.4 of the
DSU.
_______________
The
Government of Canada requests consultations with the Government of the United
States pursuant to Article XXIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
1994 and Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the
Settlement of Disputes, regarding the proposed reclassification of certain
sugar syrups (New York ruling letter 810328) by the United States Customs
Service.
The
Government of Canada considers that these measures are inconsistent with
obligations of the Government of the United States under the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and the Agreement on Agriculture. The provisions of these agreements with which
these measures are inconsistent include, but are not limited to, Article II of
the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and Article 4 of the
Agreement on Agriculture.
The
Government of Canada considers that these measures nullify or impair benefits
accruing to Canada directly or indirectly under Article II of the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and Article 4 of the Agreement on
Agriculture, regardless of whether violations of these Agreements occurred.
In
accordance with Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures
Governing the Settlement of Disputes, the Government of Canada requests
consultations with the Government of the United States to discuss the matter
with the intention of reaching a mutually satisfactory result. The Government of Canada welcomes any
suggestions the Government of the United States may wish to make concerning
dates for the consultations which are required to take place within 30 days
from the date of receipt of this request.