In June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to repeal U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (known as COOL) requirements that the World Trade Organization has ruled violate international trade rules.
The WTO is in the process of authorizing Canada and Mexico to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports to these countries. Canada has announced its intent to impose 100% retaliatory tariffs on certain products, which would include mattresses. As of late June, Mexico had not announced its intended tariff targets.
The International Sleep Products Association is a member of the COOL Reform Coalition and is lobbying the U.S. Congress and the Obama administration to enact policies that comply with international trade obligations. The coalition has called on the U.S. Senate to pass a repeal of the rules, as well. If the Senate or the administration does not act, retaliatory tariffs on mattresses and other products could begin later this year.
