Officials from the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office hammered arguments made by Mexican representatives during oral arguments about Mexico’s ban on imports of genetically modified corn used in some food products.
The ban was issued in early 2023. USTR filed a dispute settlement under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement over the issue in August of that year. “The science overwhelmingly shows that genetically modified corn is safe for consumers and doesn’t harm native plants,” says National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle. “U.S. officials did a great job of making their case, and more importantly, they successfully argued that the Mexican government doesn’t have the scientific evidence to support its actions or claims.”
During the hearing, U.S. officials argued that Mexico didn’t conduct a risk assessment to support its claims and that the documentation provided was over 20 years old. They also said Mexico’s regulatory agencies previously determined that GMO corn is safe.
