More Than 60 House Republicans Ask for GMO Corn Dispute to Open With Mexico

House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith, R-Neb., Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., and 62 other Republican members, including Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., asked U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to open a formal dispute under USMCA over Mexico's treatment of biotech corn imports.

The group, which sent the letter June 1, said they appreciated that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative asked for technical consultations. "However, now that the thirty-day period for consultations have lapsed without Mexico making any changes," they are asking her to launch a dispute, because without one, they said, $30 billion in corn exports are at risk.

"We agree with the assessment you made during your testimony to Congress that 'Mexico’s policies threaten to cause serious economic harm to U.S. farmers and stifle innovation that can promote global food security,'" they wrote.

"Lack of action would create a dangerous precedent that promises made under USMCA, and other trade agreements by extension, can be ignored without consequence."

USTR declined to comment on the letter.