The United States announced Thursday the establishment of a dispute settlement panel in a row with Mexico over its plans to ban certain genetically engineered agricultural products.
The panel, under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, takes aim at earlier plans unveiled by Mexico to gradually substitute the use of genetically engineered corn in products for human consumption and animal feed.
The measure drew criticism from Washington, which said it is challenging measures set out in Mexico's February decree.
"Mexico's measures are not based on science and undermine the market access it agreed to provide in the USMCA," said the US Trade Representative's office in a statement on Thursday.
This refers to a ban on use of biotech corn in tortillas or dough, and instructions to Mexican government agencies to gradually phase out biotech corn in products for human consumption and for animal feed.
"It is critical that Mexico eliminate its USMCA-inconsistent biotechnology measures," said USTR Katherine Tai.
That would allow American farmers to keep accessing the Mexican market and "use innovative tools to respond to climate and food security challenges," she added.
Mexico is a major buyer of yellow corn and imports a significant amount from the United States, where most corn is genetically modified.
The Mexican government's decree in February marked a softened stance on banning genetically modified maize, which had fueled tensions with main trading partner the United States.
While the decree carved out some exceptions, it held firm on banning GMO corn for human consumption.
The latest US move comes after a June request for dispute settlement consultations, but the talks failed to resolve this issue.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
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: The United States recently announced the establishment of a dispute settlement panel in a trade dispute with Mexico over Mexicos plans to ban certain genetically engineered agricultural products. The move is part of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement and is in response to Mexicos February decree, which bans the use of biotech corn in human consumption and animal feed. This is a significant move, as Mexico is a major buyer of yellow corn from the United States, where most corn is genetically modified. The US Trade Representatives office has stated that Mexicos measures are not based on science and undermine the market access it agreed to provide in the USMCA. This development is a continuation of the tensions between the US and Mexico over the issue of genetically modified maize, which has been ongoing for the past 25 years. Investigative
Question:
- 1. What is the scientific evidence behind Mexicos stance on banning genetically engineered agricultural products?
- 2. How have other countries responded to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreements provisions on biotechnology?
- 3.
What other factors have been driving tensions between the US and Mexico over this issue?4. What would be the economic impact of a prolonged trade dispute between the US and Mexico over this issue?
5. What are the implications for other countries in the region if the US and Mexico are unable to resolve this dispute?
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