Ottawa threatens retaliatory tariffs for dozens of U.S. goods

[Newsjock]

Source: The Globe and Mail

The Canadian government is threatening to impose punitive tariffs on a list of U.S. goods that includes everything from California wine to mattresses, the latest move in a battle over meat exports.

Ottawa is demanding Washington repeal laws that require Canadian-raised beef and pork be handled and labelled as such after the World Trade Organization ruled the practice violates international trade rules.

The judgment, which is the latest victory for Canada in its seven-year fight against so-called country-of-origin labelling (COOL), gives Ottawa the right to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports.

... When it imposed the country-of-origin label requirements, the U.S. government said it wanted to give consumers more information about their food, and to ensure U.S. ranchers are able to be paid well for their livestock.

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ottawa-threatens-retaliatory-tariffs-for-us-goods/article24496144/

[bigworld]

1. I'm not sure what their issue is

I would see the "Raised in Canada" sticker and be happy to buy it -- I trust Canadian food and safety regs more than I do those from many US states.

[Hoyt]

3. I agree, but lots of folks here don't like foreigners or their product.

I'd probably just remove the laws. US producers can still put a big sticker saying, "Slaughtered in Good Ole USA, no horse meat or Anthrax" for those who care.

[rpannier]

4. Canada has had issues with their beef

On at least two separate occasions over the last decade Canadian beef has been found that had mad cow here in Korea. I think Japan has also had at least one incident of Canadian beef

[Fred Sanders]

5. That is one of the points. COOL prevented that type of labelling, and imported meat sales were restricted

'Grain-fed Canada Grade AAA Alberta Beef'. Label, prohibited. "Imported from Canada", not as good a label for producers.

Beef and pork in America also cost more because of the American illegal position, the consumer directly subsidizing the industrial producers in America.

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS22955.pdf

[bhikkhu]

8. I don't have any issue with meat packed in other countries

I suppose, if an animal was killed, that's a worse thing in general than how it gets labelled or consumed. I think if any country goes to the trouble to export meat, they should be confident enough of their product to let people know it. If it took a relaxing of the reg's to allow for more marketable labelling, I think that would be a decent solution.

[Fred Sanders]

9. Consumers in America would have lower prices, and there is nothing wrong with the safety of

Canadian beef or pork, Mexico I am not sure.

[brentspeak]

11. "The American illegal position"

Funny, the entire Republican caucus also thinks COOL is "illegal".

But then again, your posts don't exactly reflect Democratic party principles.

[Fred Sanders]

12. Tell that to all Canadians and Mexicans who agree COOL was being abused as a tariff by America.

[brentspeak]

13. After you tell it to the majority of Americans who support COOL. n/t

[L0oniX]

2. My Dodge van was made in Canada. WTF?

[DJ13]

10. My Mitsubishi Spyder was made in Ohio.

[GeorgeGist]

6. Repeal NAFTA.

[PSPS]

7. "the World Trade Organization ruled"

If we don't like it, I guess we'll have to vote them out. Oh, wait...