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Food Biotechnology Added On New Trilateral Deal

MEXICO CITY — Twenty-five years ago, biotechnology was not an issue considered in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). But that has changed, as the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) has an entire chapter dedicated to it.

Sergio Barajas is president of the Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives. He thinks the new chapter in the trilateral trade deal brings significant improvements.

“There is this entire new chapter where we will even find a definition to what biotechnology is for the agreement,” Barajas said.

The expert explained the chapter defines biotechnology as genetic modifications not to alter a crop’s traditional reproductive structure, but for quality improvement.

”This will allow Mexico to bring that technology and share it along with Canada and the United States to grow better produce,” Barajas said.

According to Barajas, the chapter also illustrates how trade modernization is acknowledged by the USMCA.

He said NAFTA was a good agreement, but the improvements brought by USMCA will bring new opportunities to the three participating countries, while providing more clarity to issues that weren’t addressed before.

Rodrigo Cervantes was KJZZ’s bureau chief in Mexico City from 2016 to 2021.