US Appeals Origin Labelling at WTO

The US is set to fight another round in its WTO disputes with Canada (DS384) and Mexico (DS386) regarding Washington’s country-of-origin labelling requirements for livestock and meat exports, after the US filed an appeal at the global trade arbiter on 23 March. The appeal follows a November panel ruling that had deemed the US requirements to be WTO illegal.

Washington’s appeal has been harshly criticised by trade experts as a delaying technique and a political move, with the US filing the appeal despite having only a slim chance at victory.