The
World Trade organization will officially authorize Canada and Mexico to
retaliate against the United States County-of-Origin meat labeling
later this week. Following a WTO meeting, retaliations could come as
early as Friday, but appear more likely to start next week at the
earliest. Both countries plan to use the carousel process in that
products can be added and removed for tariffs as needed to cause the
most political pain, according to a Washington D.C. lobbying firm. The
WTO ruled earlier this month Canada and Mexico can impose $1.01 billion
in tariffs because of losses caused by the U.S. COOL law. Canada and
Mexico in a joint statement called on Congress to repeal
country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef and pork to avoid
retaliation. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “We would
rather not have to engage in retaliatory measures, but we certainly will
stand up for our farmers, stand up for Canadians who have been unfairly
addressed and affected by this legislation.” Work continues, with
little time left, on the omnibus spending bill in Congress that could
include a repeal of COOL.
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