WTF?

This is absolutely laughable.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Union head office said Thursday it will seek to impose additional sanctions of up to 15 percent on U.S. products to punish Washington for failing to repeal an antidumping law ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization.

The European Commission said its action would be joined soon by seven other nations, including Japan, South Korea and Brazil, which had all requested the WTO authorize retaliation.

The EU's move would slap additional duties of up to 15 percent as of May 1 on such U.S. products as paper, textiles, machinery and farm produce. The European Commission's proposal still needs to be approved by the EU member states.

Targeted items ran from writing pads to sweetcorn, tablecloth and sports footwear.

The EU said that according to the latest information, the level of retaliation would amount to slightly less than $28 million.

The agency said it took its latest step "in light of the continuing failure of the United States to bring its legislation in conformity with its international obligations."

The 25-nation EU has long asked for Washington to repeal the 3-year-old legislation and the Bush administration has been working with Congress to bring it into line with its obligations. Yet the EU executive Commission said it was time to bring further action.

The Geneva-based WTO first ruled the U.S. legislation illegal in 2002 and gave the United States until the end of 2003 to conform. When it didn't, the eight complainants were given the option late last year to impose sanctions.

"The EU understands that Canada will be announcing retaliatory measures against certain products from the United States and expects that other co-complainants will soon join it in applying retaliation," the EU head office said.

The other complainants are Brazil, Chile, India, Japan, South Korea and Mexico.

The law, known as the Byrd amendment, allows American companies to receive proceeds from antidumping duties levied on foreign rivals.

It was approved in 2000 and in four annual distributions, over $1 billion has been distributed to such industries as steel and metal producers and food and household items.

The European Commission said there were no negotiating meetings with U.S. officials planned ahead of the May 1 deadline.

Here's an idea. Let the crooked ass little pansies in at the U.N. sanction us. Then, whatever the dollar amount of the sanctions comes to, we simply subtract that from what we already contribute. In fact, since the U.N. is into retalitory actions, we should reduce funding by half of whatever their "sanctions" cost us. Let them squirm with that for a while. Then, when they come back begging for an apology, withdraw from the U.N. completely and see how long they last. The U.N. is a useless organization anyhow. Left to their own devices, Sadaam would still be in power, and shit like this is still going on and they do nothing about while they preach about peace and human rights. Without the U.S., the United Nations is just a toothless aging dog with a lot of bark. It's an impotent organization and we are it's Viagra.