Given this disagreement, the United States wants to take the case before a dispute settlement panel, which is a figure that was agreed upon in the renewed TMEC.
Mexico produces the vast majority of white corn, but in recent years it has intensified a campaign to increase the cultivation of yellow corn, which is used to feed cattle. In this way, it is sought that Mexico imports less grains from the US.
What about transgenic corn in Mexico?
In 2020, the Mexican government prohibited producing or importing genetically modified corn by 2024. In the face of protests from its northern neighbor, it chose to allow it for animal feed and processing in various industries, until a substitute for the grain is found.
It would be prohibited for human consumption. But the country is self-sufficient in non-GM white corn, which forms the staple diet of its 126 million people.
The concession did not satisfy the United States, which in June called for formal consultations to try to resolve the conflict. Now, after 75 days and in the absence of agreements, the Joe Biden government asked to go to a consultation panel to “enforce Mexico’s obligations under the TMEC.”
Transgenic corn in the TMEC
The government of López Obrador wants to preserve the tortilla made with native corn, thus ensuring the conservation of the biodiversity of the more than 64 varieties of corn in the country, of which 59 are endemic, and promoting a diet without transgenics.
The production of genetically modified grains is usually associated with the use of pesticides in crops. That is why Mexico is also proposing to phase out the herbicide glyphosate.
Mexico argues that biotech maize harms native varieties and may have adverse health effects.
The United States believes that Mexico’s approach to biotechnology “is not based on science and goes against decades of evidence” that guarantees that it does not harm health or the environment.
Currently, Mexico imports from the United States around 17 million tons of yellow corn a year, equivalent to 5,000 million dollars.
Mexico is the second largest buyer of corn in the world and 95% comes from the US market, whose production is, in turn, 93% transgenic.
From now on, the members of the panel will be appointed, who must set a calendar and issue a decision that is expected to be announced in the course of the next year.
What are the risks for Mexico?
In the event that the United States wins the battle and the panel agrees with it, the US Commerce office could put punitive tariffs on Mexico on Mexican products.
In addition, Mexico already faces other disagreements with the United States and Canada, especially in energy matters. The two partners of Mexico believe that their nationalist policies affect foreign companies.
With information from AFP and Reuters