Corn Growers Secure Victory in USMCA Dispute Over Mexico's GM Corn Ban

In a significant triumph for U.S. corn growers, a trade dispute panel ruled today that Mexico breached its obligations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with its 2023 decree banning imports of genetically modified (GM) corn.

The decision was applauded by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and industry advocates, who urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue the case.

“This is an incredible development for the nation’s corn growers and rural communities,” Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr said.

“This outcome is a direct result of the advocacy efforts of corn grower leaders from across the country. We want to thank the nation’s growers for speaking out and U.S. officials for listening and acting.”

Timeline of Events

• December 2020: Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced plans to phase out GM corn imports by 2024, sparking concerns in the U.S. Corn Belt.
• Early 2023: Mexico issued an immediate ban on GM white corn imports, escalating tensions and prompting U.S. officials to file a USMCA dispute.
• December 2024: The dispute panel ruled in favor of the U.S., confirming that Mexico’s actions violated trade commitments.

Mexico is the largest export market for U.S. corn, making the decree a critical issue for farmers and rural economies. The NCGA argued that such a ban would disrupt trade and harm growers who rely on exports to maintain profitability.

Since 2020, the NCGA has worked across two U.S. administrations, engaged members of Congress, and collaborated with Mexican officials to address the issue. These efforts culminated in a formal dispute settlement request under USMCA in 2023.

“NCGA has been active each step of the way, sounding the alarm about the impact Mexico’s actions are having on farmers,” Hartman said. “This win illustrates the power of corn advocacy.”

With the panel’s decision now public, NCGA leaders emphasize the need for enforcement. They plan to work with USTR and the incoming administration to ensure Mexico complies with the ruling.

The ruling is a rare instance of a USMCA dispute panel being convened and resolved, setting a precedent for addressing trade conflicts under the agreement.