BYRD WON'T FLY:
CITAC CALLS FOR REPEAL OF WTO-ILLEGAL BYRD AMENDMENT

Washington, DC: The Consuming Industries Trade Action Coalition (CITAC) today called the Byrd Amendment a threat to consuming industries and urged its repeal in the best interest of the Nation's economy.  The amendment, passed by Congress late last year, will distribute antidumping and countervailing duties back to the U.S. companies that are petitioning the U.S. Government for protection.

The Byrd Amendment protects the companies that aren't globally competitive; hurts those that are; runs counter to our obligations under the WTO and generally distorts the operation of our trade laws, said CITAC Chairman Jon Jenson.

In a letter submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, CITAC members stated that the amendment will result in more trade cases that discourage trade.  Further, it threatens consuming industries, which rely on imports as components, raw materials or merchandise for sale to other businesses and individuals.

In the letter, CITAC members who include steel users, retailers, farmers and others stated that they are concerned that downstream industries in the United States will face shortages and a total lack of specialized materials available only from foreign sources.

CITAC states in the letter that 11 WTO member countries have already attacked the Byrd Amendment, requesting consultations on multiple points of conflict between the Amendment and the United States' WTO obligations.

CITAC is a coalition of companies and organizations committed to promoting a trade arena where U.S. consuming industries and their workers have access to global markets for imports that enhance the international competitiveness of U.S. firms.

CITAC's letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is attached.