Nebraska farmers are calling on President Joe Biden to address a growing trade dispute with Mexico concerning genetically modified (GM) corn. Last winter, Mexico's president issued a decree that could potentially halt imports of American GM corn, which constitutes approximately 90 percent of U.S. corn production. While Mexico has indicated that it may still allow biotech corn for animal feed, the use of white corn in tortillas could be restricted.
In response to these developments, the Biden administration has initiated formal action under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) free trade deal. The U.S. Trade Representative is seeking dispute settlement consultations as a step towards resolving the issue.
Nebraska farmers emphasize the critical nature of this dispute, particularly in their state, which is a leading producer of white corn, with significant cultivation in areas such as Gothenburg. They express concerns about the potential disastrous consequences if the matter remains unresolved, including uncertainty in the corn market and the possibility of other countries imposing trade barriers.
The dispute with Mexico over GM corn holds broader implications for the American corn industry. Farmers urge the Biden administration to stand firm and protect their market, as the outcome could send signals to other global markets and potentially lead to trade barriers from other countries.
Efforts to address and resolve this trade dispute are vital to maintain market stability and support the Nebraska corn industry, as well as to prevent potential repercussions on trade relationships with other nations.
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Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Corn