The Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, acknowledged this Wednesday that the country could lose the panel in dispute against its North American counterparts over the use of transgenic corn within the framework of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (TMEC).
“Now they have given us the preliminary result of corn, the process is not finished yet, it will end in December, but maybe they will win it for us,” said Ebrard during a conference at the College of Mexico.
The controversy centers on Mexico’s ban on importing transgenic corn for human consumption, a measure that the United States and Canada have questioned considering it affects trade between the three countries, as well as the ban on the use of glyphosate.
Although Ebrard assessed that Mexico could lose the panel over the issue of transgenic corn, he noted that the process is not yet concluded, since so far they are only preliminary conclusions.
Lee: Next Secretary of Agriculture will maintain the ban on genetically modified corn for human consumption
“On October 22, they (the panel) shared their preliminary conclusions with us, which are those that were announced in the media. On November 6 we responded with the arguments from our point of view for the panel’s consideration,” he stated.
He added that on November 29 the panel will respond to Mexico’s arguments and on December 14 the process will end “with the publication of the conclusions they have reached.”
TMEC mechanism ‘works adequately’
This ruling could force Mexico to rethink its policy on transgenic corn in the event that a ruling is issued against it and Ebrard highlighted that, regardless of the result, the dispute resolution system implemented in the USMCA “works adequately.” ”.
In this sense, Ebrard stressed that Mexico has used the USMCA dispute settlement system in other cases and emphasized the favorable result of the first panel on rules of origin in the automotive industry, in which Mexico prevailed over the United States.
“The first panel was promoted by Mexico, which are rules of origin (in the automotive industry), we won them. Now they have given us the preliminary result for corn (…) but what matters is that the system is working,” said the official.
Lee: The US still does not demonstrate the safety of transgenic corn: Agriculture
As the USMCA review approaches in 2026, the panel on genetically modified corn is an example of the challenges that may arise in the trilateral trade relationship.
However, Ebrard expressed cautious optimism, based on the history of cooperation and the economic benefits that the USMCA has brought to the three countries.
Read: The ban on transgenic corn is based on ignorance: National Agricultural Council
With information from EFE
Get inspired, discover and share. Follow us and find what you are looking for on our Instagram!
