Canada and the U.S. are now in a trade war and its duration and impact on the economy of both countries remains to be seen.

Opinion: Length of trade war is the big question

Increased protectionism within the global trading environment is causing major shifts in how countries do business — and world leaders are scrambling to keep pace. Despite the existence of highly integrated economies, protectionism is growing in popularity — spurred on by a White House that seems to be doing everything in its power to cut […] Read more

(WTO.org)

WTO should prepare for life without U.S., ex-chief Lamy says

Geneva | Reuters — World Trade Organization countries need to prepare for a future without the United States as a member of the club, former WTO chief Pascal Lamy said on Monday. The U.S. has thrown the WTO into crisis by blocking the appointment of new judges, undermining its dispute settlement system just as it […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. dairy lobby increases pressure on Canada

Ottawa/Winnipeg | Reuters — The U.S. dairy lobby is ratcheting up the pressure on Canada as talks to renegotiate NAFTA draw closer, demanding concessions the Canadian government looks unwilling to grant, according to people familiar with the file. The result could be a brawl that sours efforts to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement, […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

U.S. loses WTO appeal in meat labeling dispute: source

Reuters — The United States has lost its appeal against a World Trade Organization ruling ordering it to bring its meat labeling laws into line with global trade rules, according to a government official familiar with the dispute. In 2011, Canada and Mexico won a WTO ruling that said the U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) rules […] Read more