In published reports by the World Trade Organization recently, it announced The United States notified the Dispute Settlement Body of its decision to appeal the panel report in the case brought by Canada in “United States — Countervailing Measures on Softwood Lumber from Canada.”
Also in published reports, and in a response to the U.S. announcement that it would appeal the Softwood lumber decision, the Canadian government said it was surprised by the U.S.’s seemingly contradictory message that the WTO appeals body should be in charge of this case — and that it also is illegitimate.
According to CBC News, the decision to appeal the ruling stalls the issue because the U.S. reportedly broke the WTO’s appeal body by blocking the appointment of judges.
Given the ongoing lack of agreement among WTO members regarding the filling of Appellate Body vacancies, there is no Appellate Body Division available at the current time to deal with the appeal, according to a statement released by the WTO.
