Marcelo EbrardThe Minister of Economy stated that he expects decision by December 14 over Mexico’s import restrictions dispute transgenic cornunder the Mexico-US-Canada Free Trade Pact (T-MEC)
Under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico’s government sought to limit imports of genetically modified corn over fears it could pose health risks and threaten the country’s native varieties.
Mexico is self-sufficient in white cornused to make tortillas, but imports transgenic yellow corn from the US, which is mainly used for livestock feed.
However, the decision to limit imports of GM crops sparked a dispute under the USMCA, which Washington believes Mexico violated by applying the restrictions.
You may be interested in > Mexicans don’t want to eat genetically modified corn tortillas: Julio Berdegue Sacristan | Find out
Sheinbaum promised to protect the corn bank
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who replaced Lopez Obrador in October, said her government would seek to protect the country’s non-GMO white corn in accordance with the Constitution and protect local agricultural potential.
This was announced by Minister of Agriculture Sheinbaum Reuters Before taking office, the new administration will focus on maintaining self-sufficiency in white corn rather than restricting imports of yellow corn.
Mexico is home to more than 60 indigenous varieties of corn that have important symbolic meanings dating back to pre-Hispanic cultures.
The USMCA is subject to review in 2026, during which the Sheinbaum government will negotiate with the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
At an event with investors and business leaders in Mexico City on Tuesday, Ebrard said the trade pact was “the best deal the region has ever done.”
“Maybe they beat us”: Ebrard on the T-MEC commission on transgenic corn
On November 14, Ebrard acknowledged that Mexico could lose the commission in a dispute with its North American counterparts over the use of transgenic corn under T-MEC.
“Right now they have given us a preliminary result for corn, the process is not completed yet, it will end in December, but perhaps they will win it for us,” Ebrard said during a conference at El Colegio de México.
While Ebrard assessed that Mexico could lose the panel on transgenic corn, he noted that the process is not yet complete as these are just preliminary conclusions. (Reuters and EFE)
Source: Aristegui Noticias
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
