Mexico City | Reuters—Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday he expected a resolution on a dispute under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade pact regarding Mexican restrictions on imports of genetically-modified (GM) corn by Dec. 14.
Under the administration of former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico’s government sought to limit imports of GM corn over concerns it could harm health and put the country’s native varieties at risk.
Mexico is self-sufficient in white corn, used to make the country’s staple tortilla, but imports GM yellow corn from the United States which is used largely to feed livestock.
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The move to restrict imports of the GM crop however sparked a dispute under the North American free trade pact, which Washington said Mexico was violating by implementing the restrictions.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took over from Lopez Obrador in October, has said her administration will seek to protect the country’s non-GM white corn under the constitution and protect local agricultural capacity.
Sheinbaum’s agricultural secretary told Reuters before taking office that the new administration would focus on maintaining self-sufficiency in white corn over curbing imports of yellow corn.
Mexico counts more than 60 native varieties of corn, which has an important symbolic value dating back to pre-Hispanic cultures.
The North American free trade pact is up for a revision in 2026, in which Sheinbaum’s administration will negotiate with the government of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
In an event with investors and business leaders on Tuesday in Mexico City, Ebrard said the trade pact was the “best deal the region has ever had.”
—Reporting by Brendan O’Boyle
