News Releases for March 2003
March 5, 2003
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Hoeven: U.S. Commerce Department Imposes Tariff On Canadian Wheat Board
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today received word from the White House that the U.S. Commerce Department will impose a preliminary tariff of 3.9 percent on the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) to counter Canadian wheat subsidies.
Last December, Hoeven pressed U.S. Trade Ambassador Allen Johnson to take strong action in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in addition impose countervailing and antidumping duties on the CWB to level the playing field for U.S. wheat farmers.
“The preliminary tariff imposed on the CWB today by the Commerce Department is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to counter the competitive advantage the CWB enjoys as a state-run monopoly,” Hoeven said. “The Commerce Department should impose antidumping duties as well by this summer.”
In February 2002, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick issued an affirmative finding that the CWB “has taken sales from U.S. farmers…and has a competitive advantage due to its monopoly control over a guaranteed supply of wheat.” Last fall, the U.S. Commerce Department initiated an investigation into the CWB’s dumping in the U.S. market. Today’s move by the Commerce Department follows an action filed in December by Zoellick in the World Trade Organization (WTO) charging that the CWB is a state-run monopoly engaging in unfair trade practices.
“We have to enforce fair trade for our producers,” Hoeven said. “Today’s action will help, but the CWB continues to have a competitive advantage and special privileges due to its monopoly status. We will to continue to push to ensure that our farmers get fair treatment in the marketplace.”
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