Canada and Mexico set a price on COOL, and it’s a big one
By Rita Jane Gabbett on 6/5/2015
Canada and Mexico jointly issued a statement this week putting dollar figures totaling more than $3 billion on their plans to ask the World Trade Organization to authorize trade sanctions on American products in retaliation for the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirement that has been in effect since 2008. The COOL requirement applies to fresh meat products.
“Canada will request authorization from the WTO to impose over C$3 billion in retaliatory measures against the U.S., while Mexico will seek authorization for over US$653 million,” according to a statement issued on Thursday.
On May 18, the WTO again confirmed Canada and Mexico’s long-standing position that the United States’ mandatory COOL requirements for beef and pork are discriminatory and are a violation of the United States’ international trade obligations.
“In light of the WTO’s final decision and due to the fact that this blatantly protectionist measure remains in place, our governments today are asking the WTO for a special Dispute Settlement Body meeting to request retaliation rights against the United States, to take place on June 17,” the statement declared. “We continue to call on the United States to repeal COOL legislation for beef and pork and comply with its international obligations.”
