In late 2020, the Mexican government announced its intention to ban the import of genetically modified (GM) corn. Citing concerns about health, environmental impact and the cultural importance of corn in Mexico, where the crop originated, the announcement sparked an ongoing trade dispute with the U.S. that has raised questions about food sovereignty, free trade agreements and the role of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food system.
Under intense pressure from Washington to repeal the measure, the Mexican government partially rolled back the ban in February 2023 to include only white corn, which is intended for direct human consumption, leaving yellow corn imports (almost entirely used for animal feed and industry) in place. But after that concession, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador vowed to not back down any further. After an initial round of talks ended in early April without an agreement, the U.S. has formally requested consultations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the free trade agreement that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020.
