US Signals "Legal Action" Over Mexico's Planned Ban on Corn Imports

by Oh Kuemin

Published 29 Nov.2022 21:58(KST)

Revealed After Meeting with the President of Mexico

The Mexican government’s policy to ban imports of genetically modified (GMO) corn from the United States has intensified the dispute between the two countries.

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The dispute between Mexico and the United States is intensifying over Mexico's policy to ban the import of U.S.-produced genetically modified organism (GMO) corn.

On the 28th (local time), according to major foreign media, after the Mexican government announced plans to ban GMO corn imports starting in 2024, the U.S. warned of legal action.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a statement following a meeting with Mexican President Andr?s Manuel L?pez Obrador, cited concerns from American farmers regarding Mexico's plan and said, "We need to find a solution soon."

He added, "If an acceptable resolution is not reached, the U.S. government will certainly consider all measures, including legal action under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)." He further stated, "Mexico's import ban will cause significant economic losses to Mexico's agricultural sector and its people, as well as impose unfair burdens on American farmers," and "It will also have a serious impact on trade relations between the two countries."

Earlier this month, President L?pez Obrador revealed that he rejected a U.S. request to expand GMO corn imports.

Mexico heavily depends on U.S.-produced yellow corn used for sauces and animal feed, importing about 17 million tons annually.

Amid concerns that GMO seeds could contaminate native corn varieties, Mexico is preparing regulations to gradually reduce the distribution of GMO corn by 2024. The Mexican government expects that once these regulations take effect, imports of U.S. corn will be cut in half.