On a recent trip to the United States, Canada’s Ag Minister Gerry Ritz repeated his earlier statements that Canada will retaliate if the U.S. doesn’t fix its Country of Origin Labeling Law. That dispute is at the WTO where Canada and Mexico won a recent case where the trade body found COOL in violation of world trade rules. Canadian Pork Producers Council Executive Director Martin Rice says his industry has been hurt by COOL and the recent estimate of the loss of over $800 million could be even higher.
Rice says it would be better if the U.S. and Canada could find a workable resolution to COOL rather than having to have it decided by the WTO. He says at this point, Canada has no other choice.
Minister Ritz’s recent comments seem to indicate Canada expects the WTO to rule in their favor and approve large and targeted sanctions against the United States if the trade distorting portions of COOL aren’t fixed.