AFP

Canada accuses U.S. of dodging COOL

The United States is trying futilely to avoid retaliatory tariffs because of its trade-distorting country-of-origin labels (COOL), Canada said, renewing its demand for an end to COOL. "The only way for the United States to avoid billions in retaliation by late summer is to ensure legislation repealing COOL passes the Senate and is signed by the president," said Canada's agriculture and trade ministers, following a WTO meeting to discuss penalties against the trade-distorting rules.

Russia extends ban on Western food to January

In a tit-for-tat move, Russia extended for six months - until January - its ban on imports of food from Europe and the United States, says Channel NewsAsia.