The ruling highlights the ongoing tension between trade agreements and national agricultural policies.
Mexico's reliance on U.S. corn underscores the interconnectedness of North American agricultural markets.
The decision may influence future agricultural biotechnology policies in Mexico and potentially other countries in the region.
Mexico may seek to negotiate terms that allow for some restrictions while complying with the ruling.
The U.S. may increase its corn exports to Mexico further, given the ruling's implications for trade access.
Future agricultural policies in Mexico may face increased scrutiny under international trade agreements.
CNN Español reports that a dispute resolution panel under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ruled in favor of the United States regarding genetically modified (GM) corn. The panel found that Mexico's restrictions on GM corn were not based on adequate scientific evaluations, violating the trade agreement. The conflict began with a Mexican presidential decree in February 2023 that banned the immediate use of GM corn in tortillas and mandated a gradual phase-out in other food products and animal feed. The U.S. Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, described the ruling as a victory for American farmers, emphasizing the need for science-based trade policies. In contrast, the Mexican government expressed its disagreement, stating that its measures aimed to protect public health and biodiversity, yet it committed to comply with the ruling.
Mexico's loss in the dispute over genetically modified corn against the U.S. and Canada has significant implications for its agricultural policies. The international review body concluded that Mexico failed to provide scientific evidence supporting its ban on GM corn, which was initially decreed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in 2020. The ruling requires Mexico to reverse its barriers to GM corn imports within 45 days, or face potential trade sanctions. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed the decision, asserting that it guarantees U.S. producers full access to the Mexican market. Despite the ruling, the Mexican government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, maintains that protecting native corn and public health remains a priority, with constitutional commitments to non-GM corn cultivation.
- The ruling is expected to have a profound impact on the agricultural trade dynamics between the U.S. and Mexico, particularly as Mexico has been the largest buyer of U.S. corn, with exports reaching $4.8 billion in the first ten months of 2024.
