February 12, 2015 - The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today issued the following statement:
"On October 15, 2014, Canada filed a request for consultations at the WTO concerning the unfounded and discriminatory measures introduced by China that disadvantage Canadian exports of dissolving pulp.
"Following our government’s commitment to defend the interests of Canadian workers and companies in the forestry sector, and due to the inability to resolve this matter through ongoing engagement with China, Canada is requesting the establishment of a WTO panel on China’s imposition of discriminatory anti-dumping measures on Canadian dissolving pulp.
"Canada’s position is that China’s investigation was not conducted in accordance with WTO rules and, as a result, the conclusions were flawed.
"Our government will continue to consult and work closely with stakeholders on this matter, and as always, we will stand up for hard-working Canadians in every region of the country."
A backgrounder follows.
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On October 15, 2014, the Government of Canada filed a request for consultations at the WTO.
On April 6, 2014, China imposed duties of up to 23.7 percent on Canadian exports of dissolving pulp entering the Chinese market.
Last year, Canadian companies exported $317 million of dissolving pulp to China. In 2013, Canada produced approximately 750,000 tonnes of dissolving pulp, of which 363,000 tonnes was exported to China.
