Det skal først og fremmest bemærkes, at WTO-reglerne, som bekræftet af appelorganet i sagen US – Softwood Lumber IV (DS257) og panelet i US – China countervailing duties (DS379), ikke forbyder brugen af eksterne referencer.
First of all it is noted that WTO rules, as confirmed by the Appellate Body in US – Softwood Lumber IV (DS257) and the Panel in US – China countervailing duties (DS379) do not prohibit the use of external benchmarks.