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Whether the Trump administration would resurrect mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for ground and muscle cuts of beef and pork is a the question some are asking following President Donald Trump’s “American First” slogan and reports that some members of Trump’s advisory panels favor such labeling.
Contacts advise there has been “some” mention of MCOOL by those on Trump advisory panels, but those sources indicate that is extent of the situation at this stage.
The US MCOOL issue was settled with Canada and Mexico via a WTO dispute settlement panel ruling leading the US to withdraw its previous proposal that Canada and Mexico found wanting. If the US were to resurrect MCOOL, Canada and Mexico could retaliate immediately if they disliked the approach based on the WTO panel decision.
A return of MCOOL is not likely based on sources in Congress and observers of the Trump administration in its early days.
Comments: This issue is one that Canadian and Mexican contacts are also monitoring closely given the history of the dispute. They also point to the potential for immediate retaliation abilities by both countries as a hopeful factor that would deter the administration from pursuing a return to MCOOL for pork and beef.
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