The United States asks Mexico to hold formal talks on a dispute over genetically modified corn
The United States intends to request formal talks on Mexican plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn as part of a free trade agreement with Mexico, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Bloomberg reported that the request could come on Monday. A spokesperson for the Office of the US Trade Representative could not immediately be reached for comment, and the White House had no immediate comment.
The United States previously threatened a commission on trade disputes under the Tripartite Agreement with Mexico and Canada over the plan, which would ban genetically modified corn for human consumption.
Mexico said the dispute with Washington was politically motivated.
US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the formation of a trade disputes committee under the FTA would be the next step if the talks failed.
US Trade Representative Catherine Tay held talks with Mexico’s Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro late last month on the matter.
Corn for food purposes makes up about 21% of Mexican corn imports from the United States, according to a representative from the National Corn Growers Association, citing data from the US Grain Board.
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