The request for technical consultation with Mexico by the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office puts the U.S. one step away from a full dispute settlement under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
The National Corn Growers Association and affiliated state associations have been leading calls for the Biden administration to act, applauded the development and urged USTR to expedite the process.
NCGA President Tom Haag says, "Mexico's position on biotech corn is already creating uncertainty, so we need U.S. officials to move swiftly and do everything it takes to eliminate this trade barrier."
A technical consultation will bring leaders from both countries into formal discussions. If this step does not resolve the stalemate, the U.S. can then initiate a dispute settlement under USMCA.
Once a dispute settlement is filed, a group of experts are empaneled to hear the case and make final determinations based on the commitments both parties signed as part of the free trade agreement.