We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Terms and Cookie Policy
Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Thursday, November 21, 2024
The Biden administration is moving quietly to sharpen its strategy and build up its arguments as it takes internal steps towards a potential trade dispute with Mexico over its ban on genetically modified white corn, according to sources with knowledge of the developments.
Lawmakers, farm groups and the ag industry are all eager for the Biden administration to move to a dispute process over Mexico’s restrictions on genetically modified white corn, but there’s no sign yet from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative that it’s ready to do that.
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor is leaning strongly into trade missions as a way to promote domestic ag exports.
Lawmakers express relief that the Biden administration is taking the first steps toward a formal USMCA challenge to Mexico's planned ban on genetically modified white corn, but they stress they don’t want extensive delays that could harm U.S. corn farmers.
Mexico’s attempts to rid the country of genetically modified corn from the U.S. could ultimately be put in the hands of a third-party dispute panel, and both sides are counting on science and common sense to prevail.
A senior official says the Biden administration has received Mexico’s responses to U.S. demands for scientific justification of Mexico’s efforts to halt imports of genetically modified corn and the country’s rejection of approval applications for new biotech seed traits.
Mexico’s bold move this week to reinforce its drive to disparage genetically modified corn and ban imports ignores protests from the Biden administration, adding pressure on the U.S. to follow through with recent threats to initiate a dispute under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
The Biden administration is demanding that Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador scientifically justify his decree that would ban genetically modified corn and the popular herbicide, glyphosate.
U.S. trade officials are now armed with new knowledge as they enter their second battle with Canada over its restrictions on dairy trade: Even in losing, Canada can win.
