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U.S. appeals WTO COOL ruling

The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office says it will appeal a WTO ruling on Country of Origin Labeling.

The U.S. implemented COOL for a number of products including beef, pork and lamb in March of 2009. Canada and Mexico filed a complaint saying the rules discriminated against livestock producers in their countries.  A WTO dispute panel ruled in their favor in June of 2012.  The U.S. modified the rule in May of 2013 in an effort to be in compliance with free trade requirements.  Canada and Mexico contended the changes were not sufficient and asked to impose retaliatory tariffs on a number of U.S. products.  In October the dispute panel ruled the changes made by the U.S. were not sufficient, clearing the way for retaliatory tariffs to begin.

The U.S. has now filed an appeal of that ruling which will, if nothing else, delay the implementation of any retaliatory tariffs by Canada or Mexico.