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Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch blog on globalization and trade

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What's New - Global Trade Watch

Jun. 11: Freshman House Democrats Disinclined to Delegate Congress’ Constitutional Trade Authority to Obama, Says Letter Released Today
Jun. 2: Wallach and Beachy in the New York Times: Obama's Covert Trade Deal

Buy our new book: The Rise and Fall of Fast Track Trade Authority - Updated and Expanded Edition

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S P O T L I G H T

Listen to Lori Wallach talk about the WTO attacks on consumer policies on the Kojo Nnamdi Show.

WTO Attacks on U.S. Consumer Safeguards

In a set of decisions last fall, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled against U.S.country-of-origin labels on meat, dolphin-safe labels on tuna, and the ban on sweet-flavored cigarettes designed to combat youth smoking.

These are the policies we rely on to allow us to protect children’s health and make informed decisions as consumers. Under current rules, the U.S. will have to water down or eliminate these policies, or face trade sanctions.

Featured Content

(05/24/2013) Article: Washington Post: U.S. meat labels to detail animal’s origin; Canada, Mexico raise concern
(05/23/2013) Reporters Memo: USDA Stands Firm on Consumer Meat Labels; Will the WTO Continue Its Anti-Consumer Legacy and Authorize Trade Sanctions?
(04/11/2013) Comments: Public Citizen Comments on the Regulatory Response to the WTO's Ruling against Country-of-Origin Labeling for Meat
(06/29/2012) Press Release: WTO Rules Against Yet Another U.S. Consumer Protection Policy
(05/16/2012) Press Release: Public Citizen Condemns WTO Attack on U.S. Dolphin Protection Efforts
(04/04/2012) Press Release: Public Citizen Condemns WTO Attack on U.S. Efforts to Reduce Teen Smoking
Article: Washington Post: Tuna, Meat Labeling Disputes Highlight WTO Control
Video: Todd Tucker on the Thom Hartmann Show: It's Now Illegal to Know What's in Your Food

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Shine the spotlight on the WTO's attack on consumer rights: Take the pledge today! By taking action can we make sure that the Obama administration and Congress do not bow to the WTO orders.

Learn More | Recent WTO Rulings against US Consumer Laws

U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Case

(05/23/2013) Reporters Memo: USDA Stands Firm on Consumer Meat Labels; Will the WTO Continue Its Anti-Consumer Legacy and Authorize Trade Sanctions?
(05/02/2013) Media Advisory: Press Teleconference Today at 10 a.m.: As President Obama Travels to Mexico, Will He Ask President Pena Nieto to Accept the Obama Administration’s Proposed Changes to Popular U.S. Country-of-Origin Meat Labels Against Which Mexico Won a WTO Ruling?
(04/11/2013) Comments: Public Citizen Comments on the Regulatory Response to the WTO's Ruling against Country-of-Origin Labeling for Meat
(02/12/2013) Press Release: New Legal Analysis Shows How Obama Administration Can Avoid Trade Sanctions by Strengthening Popular Consumer Country-of-Origin Meat Labels Ruled Against by WTO
(02/04/2013) Legal Memo: Legal Memo: Options for Coming into Compliance with WTO Ruling on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
(06/29/2012) Press Release: WTO Rules Against Yet Another U.S. Consumer Protection Policy

Learn more about the COOL case: Expand List

Dolphin-Safe Tuna Label Case

(10/25/2012) Letter: Members of Congress Send a Letter to USTR Calling for Protection of Dolphin-Safe Tuna Labeling in the TPP
(7/26/2012) Letter: Senators Express Concern to Mexican Ambassador About WTO Ruling on Dolphin-Safe Labeling
(7/26/2012) Letter: Senators Express Concern to Administration About WTO Ruling on Dolphin-Safe Labeling
(5/31/2012) Letter: 42 Representatives Urge President Obama to Protect Dolphin-Safe Tuna Label

(5/16/2012) Press Release: Public Citizen Condemns WTO Attack on U.S. Dolphin Protection Efforts
(2/13/2012) Letter: Groups to Obama on the Government of Mexico's Failure to Fulfill NAFTA Obligations for Dolphin-Safe Tuna Label Dispute

Learn more about the dolphin-safe tuna label case:: Expand List

Ban on Candy and Clove Cigarettes Case

(04/09/2012) Article: Wallach in the Huffington Post: WTO Orders U.S. to Dump Landmark Obama Youth Anti-Smoking Law"
(04/04/2012) Press Release: Public Citizen Condemns WTO Attack on U.S. Efforts to Reduce Teen Smoking
(1/13/2012) Memo: Considerations for U.S. in Appellate Body Review of Lower Panel Clove Cigarettes Ruling
(9/6/2011) Blog Post: U.S. Measures to Reduce Teenage Smoking Ruled WTO Violation

Other Resources

Digital Media

Radio: Lori Wallach on the Kojo Nnamdi Show
Video: Todd Tucker on the Thom Hartmann Show: It's Now Illegal to Know What's in Your Food
Video: Todd Tucker on ABC2 News: Potential Changes to Food Labels

Articles

(05/24/2013) Article: Washington Post: U.S. meat labels to detail animal’s origin; Canada, Mexico raise concern
(12/01/2012) McClatchy Newspapers: As trade rulings against U.S. mount, backlash builds against WTO
(06/29/2012) Washington Post: WTO rules against U.S. country-of-origin label
(05/16/2012) Washington Post: WTO: 'Dolphin-safe' label discriminates against Mexico
(01/10/2012) Washington Post: Tuna, meat labeling disputes highlight WTO control
(12/17/2011) Tucker and Ghosh in Economic & Political Weekly: "WTO Conflict with Financial Re-regulation"
(12/2/2011) Article: Wallach and Tucker in The Hill: Trade Rulings Undermine Consumer Protection

Read past articles in our archives.

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