US Trade Representative Catherine Tay said the US will not allow negotiations on the export of GM corn to Mexico to drag on indefinitely.
When appearing before the US Senate, Tai had to answer questions about President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s decree banning the import of genetically modified corn for human consumption, considering that it has not been scientifically proven that it does not cause harm to health. .
On March 6, consultations under Chapter 9 of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) on the matter began and will end on April 7, but the trade representative stressed that it “cannot become endless”.
During his appearance, Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley complained about the Mexican delays, to which Tay replied: “I assure you it is not my intention to allow this to continue indefinitely.”
Although the consultations are the previous step of a team arguing against our country, Grassley lamented that two years had passed without Mexico agreeing to import genetically modified corn for human consumption. However, Taye acknowledged that the consultation mechanism “has a reason to exist,” so that T-MEC signatories can discuss and resolve the protection of their markets.
Given this response, the Republican senator expressed his annoyance that “we have been negotiating with Mexico for two years,” referring to the presidential decree issued by Lopez Obrador in 2020 and ratified last February.
Kathryn Tay demanded that once the April 7 deadline expires, the dispute commission is activated immediately “There is only one option, and that is that on April 7 I expect you to file a formal trade dispute settlement (against Mexico)”.
