WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS200/8
27 June 2000
(00-2629)
Original:  English
UNITED STATES – SECTION 306 OF THE TRADE ACT OF 1974
AND AMENDMENTS THERETO
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from Canada
The following communication, dated 23 June 2000, from the Permanent Mission of Canada to
the Permanent Mission of the United States, the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission
and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of
the DSU.
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Pursuant to Article 4.11 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the
Settlement of Disputes (DSU), the Government of Canada hereby notifies its desire to be joined inconsultations requested by the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission pursuant to
Article 4 of the DSU and Article XXII:1 of th e General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT
1994), with regard to Section 306 of the Trade Act of 1974, as last amended by Section 407 of the
Trade and Development Act of 2000 (Public La w 106-200).  The 5 June 2000 communication from
the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission to the Permanent Mission of the United States
was circulated to WTO Members on 13 June 2000 (WT/DS200/1; G/L/386).
Canada has a substantial trade interest in the consultations.  In Canada's view, "trade interest"
in Article 4.11 is not limited to an immediate commercial interest but rather is wide enough to
encompass both commercial and systemic interests.   As a frequent participant in DSU dispute
settlement proceedings, Canada has a significant trade interest in the proper interpretation of the
provisions of the WTO Agreement cited by the European Communities in its request forconsultations.
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