Metro East Sun

U.S. Representative Mike Bost expressed approval for a recent ruling by a United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade panel concerning Mexico's restrictions on U.S. corn exports. Bost shared his thoughts in a Facebook post dated December 22.

"Southern Illinois farmers scored a BIG win this week as a USMCA trade panel ruled against Mexico's unfair restrictions on genetically engineered corn," said Bost, according to Facebook. "This decision makes sure that AMERICAN farmers, who export billions of dollars worth of corn to Mexico every year, will have fair access to this vital market. I've been pushing the Biden administration to put pressure on Mexico for these trade violations. This is major step toward protecting our farmers and our agricultural economy."

On December 20, the three-member trade dispute panel determined that Mexico's limitations on genetically modified corn imports from the United States breached the USMCA agreement. The panel upheld all seven legal claims made by the U.S., concluding that Mexico's restrictions were not scientifically justified. The conflict over genetically modified corn between the U.S. and Mexico began in 2020 when Mexico announced plans to ban such imports from the U.S. by the end of 2024. In 2023, Mexican President Manuel Lopez Obrador declared an import ban effective by 2025.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Dec. 22 Facebook post | U.S. Rep Mike Bost's Facebook page

According to the panel's decision, Mexico now has 45 days to align its corn-trade policies with the trade agreement. Failure to comply within this timeframe could result in punitive duties on exports to the United States.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiated dispute consultations with Mexico regarding its prohibition on genetically modified corn imports and rejection of bio seed traits, as reported by FarmWeekNow. These consultations are required to last for 75 days, after which, if no resolution is reached, a third-party dispute panel may be convened.

"We will continue to work with the Mexican government through these consultations to resolve our concerns and help ensure consumers can continue to access safe and affordable food and agricultural products," said Katherine Tai, USTR Ambassador, in a June 2023 report from FarmWeekNow.

In early June 2023, Bost and 51 colleagues, including Darin LaHood and Mary Miller, urged Tai to initiate dispute proceedings.

Bost has served as Illinois' 12th District representative since January 6, 2015. He previously spent two decades in the Illinois State House of Representatives as House Republican Caucus Chair. A lifelong resident of Murphysboro and former U.S. Marine Corps member from 1979-1982, Bost worked at Bost Trucking Service for 24 years before joining the Murphysboro Fire Department after completing training at the University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.