Business · Trade · 19 hrs ago
US groups accuse Mexico of evading T-MEC ruling on GM corn
Four US grain and seed groups have accused Mexico of sidestepping a trade ruling on genetically modified corn imports.
The T-MEC panel ruled in December 2024 that Mexico could not restrict imports of the corn.
Mexico has since banned the cultivation of genetically modified corn and required other uses to be assessed for possible risks, without clearly setting out how those assessments should work.
The groups say unclear rules and proposed legislation could create new barriers to imported corn used by farms and industry.
They also point to a draft rule that would ban genetically modified corn in tortillas and related products, which they say has not been formally withdrawn.
The US Trade Representative has received the complaints during a public consultation for its 2027 report on foreign trade barriers.
Mexico is forecast to import 27.7 million tonnes of corn in the 2026–27 crop year, and the complaints will be considered as part of the US trade review.
Four US agricultural and seed organizations accuse Mexico of using ambiguous rules to evade a T-MEC panel ruling on genetically modified corn imports.
The panel ruled in December 2024 that Mexico must not restrict imports of genetically modified corn.
The groups say a 2025 constitutional reform and other measures could enable restrictions on imported corn.
Their complaints were submitted to the US Trade Representative as part of a public consultation for its 2027 report on foreign trade barriers.
Mexico is estimated to import 27.7 million tonnes of corn in the 2026-27 agricultural cycle, according to the article.
- Who
- The US Grains Council, National Corn Growers Association, North American Export Grain Association and American Seed Trade Association.
- What
- They accuse Mexico of using regulations and administrative measures to evade a T-MEC ruling on genetically modified corn imports.
- When
- The complaints were submitted for the US Trade Representative’s 2027 trade barriers report; the panel ruling was issued in December 2024.
- Where
- Mexico and the United States.
- Why
- The groups say Mexico’s rules could allow restrictions on imported genetically modified corn, despite the panel ruling.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A T-MEC panel ruled that Mexico must not restrict imports of genetically modified corn.
Mexico adopted a constitutional reform banning the cultivation of genetically modified corn and requiring evaluation of other uses.
President Claudia Sheinbaum presented a bill in the Chamber of Deputies to issue a General Law of Ecological Balance.
Four US organizations’ complaints were received by the US Trade Representative for its public consultation on the 2027 trade barriers report.
- Organizations
- USGBC, NCGA, NAEGA and ASTA
- Panel ruling
- December 2024; Mexico must not restrict genetically modified corn imports
- Proposed law provision
- Article 166 would allow an agency to evaluate uses of genetically modified corn other than planting
- Corn imports
- Estimated 27.7 million tonnes in Mexico’s 2026-27 agricultural cycle
- Trade review
- US Trade Representative’s 2027 report on foreign trade barriers