US Threatens to Take Formal Steps Over GM Corn Ban Dispute

Mexico’s proposal to postpone its presidential decree of a ban on transgenic corn until 2025 remains insufficient for the US government. US authorities warned that if this issue is not resolved soon, it may take formal action under the USMCA dispute settlement chapter. 

On Jan. 23, 2023, Alexis Taylor, the Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Doug McKalip, Chief Agricultural Negotiator,  the US Trade Representative Office (USTR), traveled to Mexico City to address concerns regarding Mexico’s biotechnology policies.

Taylor and Mckalip emphasized the “grave concerns” expressed by Secretary Vilsack and Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Furthermore, they expressed an appreciation for the time and dedication of their Mexican counterparts to find a solution. However, the officials stressed that Mexico’s proposal to postpone the GM corn ban until 2025 was insufficient to meet the US’ needs. “Mexico's proposed approach, which is not grounded in science, still threatens to disrupt billions of dollars in bilateral agricultural trade, cause serious economic harm to US farmers and Mexican livestock producers and stifle important innovations needed to help producers respond to pressing climate and food security challenges," US officials said in a further statement.

After meeting with Mexican officials, Taylor and Mckalip stated that if needed, they would request a dispute panel under the USMCA. "Today we made it clear that, if this matter is not resolved, we will consider all options, including the adoption of formal measures to enforce our rights under the USMCA treaty,” stated the USTR. 

On Jan. 10, 2023, during the annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation held in Puerto Rico, Vilsack announced that the US government was unwilling to make any commitments regarding President López Obrador’s proposal to put off the GM decree. He affirmed that the US position in the matter was rigid.

Tom Haag, President, National Association of EU Maize Producers, applauded the US rejection of Mexico’s proposal. “It is a significant development and good news for corn growers," he said. According to Haag, the banning of transgenic corn would affect American farmers and exacerbate Mexico’s food insecurity issues by dramatically increasing corn prices.