WTO to investigate restrictions on US wine to Canada

SPOKANE, Wash. — Some good news for Washington's wine industry.

The World Trade Organization on Friday agreed to investigate the U.S. Trade Representative's complaint over Canada's retail wine sale restrictions.

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U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., says regulations in Canada currently ban imported wines from store shelves in British Columbia. But if the U.S. prevails in this dispute, Canada will have to roll back its restrictions.

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The U.S. and Canada will next name experts to a dispute resolution panel. The process may take a year or more.

With more than $10 million in exports in 2017, Canada is Washington state's number one export market for wine. Washington has more than 900 wineries, and generates $1.8 billion in revenue.

Associated Press