NEWARK, DE - PMA has joined 118 organizations from diverse agriculture, food and manufacturing sectors in a letter to lawmakers. The signers of the letter are concerned over a variety of retaliatory tariffs that Canada and Mexico could apply to U.S. exports, including produce, over the ‘COOL’ rule.
According to PMA, a World Trade Organization (WTO) Compliance Panel report determined that existing U.S. mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, aka ‘COOL’ rule, for muscle cuts of meat violates obligations that the U.S. has undertaken as a member of the WTO in regards to Canada and Mexico. Even though the original WTO ruling is about meat, the signers are concerned that the retaliations would make their way to including fresh produce as a way to make a stronger point on the issue.
The letter states, “Canada has already issued a preliminary retaliation list targeting a broad spectrum of commodities and manufactured products that will affect every state in the country. Mexico has not yet announced a preliminary retaliation list, but has implemented retaliatory tariffs in the past which may be indicative of future tariff opportunities.”
The letter goes on to say that U.S. industries could lose billions in lost sales if retaliation is allowed. It also invites the recipients to review the state-by-state retaliatory analysis available here.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest on this developing story.
