USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said that a dispute settlement request under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA) is likely “coming” relative to Mexico’s decree on barring imports of GMO corn for food use as of 2024.
During a press conference at USDA’s Outlook Forum, Vilsack said the two sides are currently in an information-sharing stage which needs to occur. But the U.S. appears to be pursuing a case via USMCA on the matter. “That is going to happen, because we’re essentially in a circumstance where this is not a situation that lends itself to a compromise,” he remarked.
Other U.S. officials addressing the topic during another session at the Forum would only say that the U.S. was keeping the option open to pursue dispute settlement processes under USMCA. U.S. Trade Representative Special Agriculture Negotiator Doug McKalip said the U.S. was reviewing a response from Mexico in the matter and there would be something coming “soon.”
McKalip noted Mexico is granting approvals to applications for new genetically modified plant traits. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, McKalip said Mexico appears “interested in finding a solution. I think they’d like to avoid going to a dispute panel.”
Upshot
Vilsack essentially said to not pursue this case could put the U.S. in a difficult position with other trading partners. Vilsack denied that immigration issues were a factor in the U.S. not having already brought a USMCA case against Mexico.
