S Korea antidumping plan out of trade pact

WASHINGTON, Dec 27 (Reuters) South Korea's proposal to alter US anti-dumping laws as part of a trade agreement being negotiated between the two countries will not be part of the final deal, US trade officials said today.

''The proposals (on anti-dumping and countervailing duties) Korea is currently advancing will not be included in the final agreement,'' the office of the US Trade Representative said in a report submitted to Congress.

US laws against dumping, which occurs when a nation sells goods abroad for less than what those goods bring at home, have been a major stumbling point in talks on a proposed bilateral trade deal.

Trade officials reported on some elements being discussed for that pact -- including antidumping and global safeguards -- in a document submitted to Congress this week.

The deal with South Korea, the world's 11th-biggest economy, would be the biggest trade pact for the United States in a decade.

Reuters SBA VP0255