USTR announces action by Mexico to resolve USMCA biotech corn dispute
Mexico’s action declares ineffective two measures that the USTR successfully challenged in the USMCA dispute.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today announced that the government of Mexico has taken action towards resolving the dispute under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) concerning Mexican biotechnology measures on genetically engineered (GE) corn.
According to today’s USTR release, Mexico’s action today declares ineffective two measures that the USTR successfully challenged in the USMCA dispute:
- A ban on the use of GE corn in dough and tortillas
- A directive to gradually eliminate GE corn in other food uses and animal feed
Background
The dispute began in August 2023 when the United States established a dispute settlement panel under Chapter 31 of the USMCA against Mexico's February 2023 presidential corn decree. The panel's final report favored the United States on all claims, prompting both countries to seek a resolution within 45 days.