Mexico to make last-ditch effort to solve U.S corn dispute
Mexico City: Its foreign secretary has announced that he will travel to Washington, D.C., on Friday in a last-ditch effort to resolve a disagreement over corn imports from the United States before Joe Biden’s president of the U.S scheduled visit next month.
Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said Monday that he and other Mexican officials will fly to Washington to establish “points of agreement on genetically modified corn and other topics.”
On January 9, the leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States will meet in Mexico City.
Mexico began the controversy when it announced plans to ban the importation of G.M. corn for human use and, potentially, animal feed.
Mexico cites health concerns, but such trade limitations could contravene the free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Mexico has been importing US GM feed maize for years, spending over $3 billion annually, and is the single largest export market for U.S corn.
Under the accord, Mexico seeks to avoid a full-fledged trade complaint and a battle over Mexico’s energy sector.
According to the U.S., Mexico unfairly favors its state-owned electrical and oil firms against American competitors and clean-energy producers. Canada has also joined the complaint.
The U.S. first requested talks in July, but they have yet to deliver a solution. The U.S. may request an arbitration panel, and the case may result in trade sanctions against Mexico.
