Canadian officials says they will impose retaliatory tariffs against the United States following this week’s WTO decision finding COOL trade distorting. Canadian Cattlemen’s Director of Government and International Relations John Masswohl says the tariffs could amount to up to $ 3 billion.
Masswohl says an analysis of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling law done by a former USDA official proves their case that damages have occurred to their producers.
He also says that COOL proponents have brought forward an Auburn University study that shows no losses incurred because of COOL. He says that analysis cherry picked data and was shot down by the WTO with their decision this week.
Masswohl says following Canada’s request to the WTO for retaliation, the U.S.will likely ask for arbitration and that process will take 60 days. He says it should be late summer when Canada will then be able to proceed with retaliation.