The Canadian government says COOL has costs beef and pork producers close to 1 billion in losses. In a joint statement with Minister of International Trade Ed Fast, Ritz said, “despite consistent rulings by the World Trade Organization, the U.S. government continues its unfair trade practices, which are severely damaging to Canadian industry and jobs.”
Releasing the U.S. product list marks the next phase of the WTO resolution process. The U.S. failed to comply with a May 23 deadline set by the trade body to meet trade rules, after Canada and Mexico filed a complaint with the WTO arguing that U.S. labeling rules were discriminatory.
Canadian authorities say they will not retaliate until the WTO gives them authorization to do so.