October 4, 2004 Volume 4 Number 6

U.S. - Canada Sparring Match Continues
The referee blows the whistle on the American competitor, and the Canadian competitor walks away with a black eye and a concussion. Read how American producers keep slugging away at their Canadian counterparts in spite of the referee and even the rules of the game …

Textiles and Apparel: Should the Quotas Expire?
According to a treaty called the Agreement on Clothing and Textiles (ACT) negotiated ten years ago, our current system of import quotas on clothing and textiles is due to expire at the end of 2004. However, certain groups are pressuring the U.S. government and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to delay the agreed-upon expiration date. What would such a delay mean for American consumers? Read on….

What Next for the Byrd Amendment?
Remember the Byrd Amendment? It is that pesky trade law that funnels import taxes collected at the border away from the general treasury and into the pockets of the very companies who asked they be imposed in the first place. Ruled illegal two years ago by an international trade dispute panel, Congress has failed to repeal the bad law. Now the World Trade Organization (WTO) has delivered an award to 8 of the 11 countries who filed the complaint against the law. These countries now have the right to impose sanctions on our exporters to the tune of 72 cents for every dollar paid out to U.S. producers. Will the U.S. finally comply with the ruling and repeal the Byrd Amendment? Will our trade partners impose retaliatory tariffs on American exports? Read on…


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