It’s a new year—yet we’re still talking about Mexico and genetically modified corn. The nation announced it won’t be growing any GM cornin an effort to protect domestic biodiversity.
Soundbite: “I am sure that transgenic corn cannot be planted and that Mexico’s biodiversity must be protected in our country. As we say: Without corn, there is no country!” — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum
Meanwhile, a trade-dispute panel ruled that Mexico’s restrictions on U.S. GM corn exports violate the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
The science isn’t science-ing: The panel said Mexico’s restrictions aren’t based on science. On top of that, they violate sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
45 days or you’ll pay: Mexico has 45 days from the ruling to come into compliance with its USMCA commitments—or else, the U.S. can implement retaliatory tariffs. And we know how the Trump administration feels about imposing tariffs: he’s already threatened a blanket tariff of 25% on all imports from Canada and Mexico unless, he says, they help curb the flow of illegal immigrants and fentanyl to the U.S.
Background: The great GM corn dispute isn’t new. In July 2020, Mexico’s (then) President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said GM corn needed to be banned by the end of 2024. A 2023 Mexican decree banned GM corn in tortillas and dough, while telling government agencies to get rid of it in animal feed and other foods. The trade panel said Mexico couldn’t ban U.S. corn.
In February 2024, Mexico allowed GM corn in livestock feed and “industrial products for human consumption.” GM corn is still banned in tortillas.
Soundbite: “If left in place, Mexico’s restrictions would have impacted the corn supply chain, stifled innovation, hurt trade and opened the door for other countries to pursue similar restrictive measures.” — AFBF President Zippy Duvall