Protecting Iowa corn growers from Mexico's baseless attacks
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On July 1, 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – which was signed into law nearly two years earlier – entered into force, formally replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). True to its original intent, this law reduced trade barriers for our farmers, opened new markets for American agricultural exports, and established a revitalized framework for free and fair trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. To date, Mexico and Canada remain our nation’s top trading partners, supporting billions in exports and sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Regrettably, Mexico has failed to honor its commitments in the USMCA. In 2020, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador proposed a total ban on biotech corn by 2025, leveling unfounded accusations about the safety of genetically modified food. As the top corn-producing state and the second largest ag-exporting state in the nation, this reckless decision, if enacted, would have serious ramifications for Iowa’s corn industry – 90 percent of which is genetically modified – and our farm economy. Mexico also accounts for 25 percent of American corn exports, which would stifle agricultural trade and devastate Iowa’s corn growers who produced 2.5 billion bushels of corn in 2021 alone. Additionally, some reports indicate that this decree would eliminate over 30,000 American jobs and slash as much as $30 billion from the American economy. That is absolutely unacceptable.
For decades, genetically modified food has been scientifically proven, repeatedly, to be safe for human and animal consumption. Due to groundbreaking research, biotech crops require less water, support increased yields, and better resist the scourge of drought and disease. These are welcome advancements for agriculture. Biotech corn is safe and should be treated as such.
In response to these unfounded attacks, I joined over 60 of my Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden demanding that he hold Mexico accountable for its reckless attacks on American corn growers and our rural economy. I am proud to say – just a day after sending our letter – the Biden Administration finally requested a formal trade dispute, which is well within our rights as outlined in the USMCA. While this is only the first step, it is an important message to Mexico that the United States – and our hardworking farmers – will not be pushed around or taken advantage of.
As the mightiest economic superpower in the world, we cannot lead from behind. We must project our leadership and resolve on the global stage. If we fail to come to a swift resolution, our inaction with Mexico will undoubtedly embolden other nations – especially our adversaries – to flaunt our trade rules and severely damage our agricultural economy. I will not let that happen.
Serving on both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, I will continue to use my positions and my voice to hold Mexico’s feet to the fire and overturn this catastrophic ban. Iowa corn growers – and our agricultural community at large – rely on consistent, fair, and transparent trade laws to prepare for the next harvest and make an honest living. The USMCA provides that crucial framework and Mexico must uphold their promises to American agriculture and our corn growers.
Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) has represented Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2021.
