If the United States takes its complaint against Mexico’s ban on imports of GMO white corn to a USMCA panel, it could take 155 days — until late December or even January — for a final resolution, although a U.S. victory is likely, said three Ohio State University analysts. Mexico would then have the option of keeping the ban in place and accepting U.S. sanctions because of it, they wrote at the farmdoc daily blog.
“If a panel investigation goes ahead, our expectation is it will rule in favor of the United States,” wrote Ian Sheldon, Seungki Lee and Chris Zoller. “Crucially, ending the dispute matters to U.S. farmers from states that have significant corn exports to Mexico, as well as to other farmers whose margins would likely come under significant pressure if the ban is enforced.”
A 30-day period for technical consultations between the nations ended on Friday. The consultations were the first step toward a formal USMCA challenge. The Biden administration says the ban is not justified on scientific grounds and it should be removed. Mexico originally targeted all GMO corn but narrowed its focus to genetically modified white corn in February.
There was no immediate announcement about the outcome of the consultations.
White corn, used in making tortillas and other food, accounts for around 4 percent of Mexico’s imports of U.S-grown corn. Mexico is the largest customer for U.S. corn, buying 27 percent of corn sold to foreign buyers in the 2021/22 marketing year.
Under USMCA, a dispute panel, once it is requested and appointed, is expected to make an initial report within 150 days. The report would become public 60 days later. “Assuming the panel rules against Mexico, resolution of the dispute should then occur within 45 days, Mexico either removing its GM corn measures, providing compensation to the United States, or provision of some other remedy,” wrote the analysts. If Mexico refuses to implement the panel ruling, the United States would be allowed to suspend trade benefits with Mexico equivalent to the damage caused by the latter’s GM corn measure,” such as tariffs on imports of Mexican products.
Mexico is the source of most U.S. food and ag imports, accounting for more than $1 of every $5 of imported goods, and is forecast by USDA to be the second-largest export market, after China, for U.S. agriculture products this year.
Most states would feel little impact from the corn dispute, at least in the short term, according to the OSU analysts. Illinois, Louisiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri are the states with the largest volumes of corn shipments to Mexico, overwhelmingly yellow corn that is fed to livestock.
“If the United States did not prevail, it would introduce considerable regulatory uncertainty, with the potential of undermining the stable operation of commodity markets. This could increase the cost of any risk management measures such as hedging and options, placing further financial strain on US grain producers,” said Sheldon, Lee and Zoller.