USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Services Alexis Taylor and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Chief Ag Negotiator Doug McKalip were in Mexico Monday for meetings with officials.
The conversation quickly turned to Mexico’s decree to phase out the use and import of GMO corn and other products by Jan. 31, 2024.
U.S. officials relayed “grave concerns” on the matter during the meeting and labeled proposed changes offered by Mexico as “not sufficient” with Mexico’s approach on biotech crops that are still “not grounded in science,” according to a statement released after the meeting.
Read more: A Trade Panel Backed Mexico and Canada in a Dispute With the U.S.
Taylor and McKalip warned the situation “threatens to disrupt billions of dollars in bilateral agricultural trade, cause serious economic harm to U.S. farmers and Mexican livestock producers, and stifle important innovations needed to help producers respond to pressing climate and food security challenges.”
The Timeline
The news comes as Mexican officials pitched a GMO proposal to U.S. officials during a meeting on Dec. 22. Following the meeting, the Office of the USTR shared a press release:
“We agreed to review their proposal closely and follow up with questions or concerns in short order. There is a joint recognition that time is of the essence, and we must determine a path forward soon,” said USTR Katherine Tai and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Read more: Mexico’s GMO Corn Debate Tabled Until 2025, According to Mexico
The ag industry quickly responded, ushering both Vilsack and Tai not to back down from the fight. The industry’s message was delivered loud and clear in Mexico on Monday.
Next Move
Welcoming Mexican efforts to resolve the situation, Taylor and McKalip warned if the matter is not resolved, the U.S. would consider “all options, including taking formal steps to enforce our rights under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).”
“These leaders understand that banning biotech corn would deliver a blow to American farmers and exacerbate current food insecurity in Mexico by drastically raising prices for corn, basic foods and other critical products derived from corn in the Mexican economy,” said Tom Haag, NCGA president, in a press release. “Secretary Vilsack and Ambassador Tai are making it crystal clear that they are going to make the Mexican government abide by what it agreed to under USMCA.”
The trade topic will again surface Wednesday when Deputy USTR Jayme White will meet Wednesday with Mexico’s undersecretary of economy Alejandro Encinas in San Diego.
