The United States last week escalated objections to Mexico’s curbs on genetically modified (GM) corn imports, requesting a dispute settlement panel under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact, Reuters reported.

The request to send the dispute to arbitrators was announced after formal consultations failed to resolve deep divisions between the two close trading partners over the use of GM corn, widely produced by U.S. farmers.

Mexico’s Economy Ministry said it would defend its GM corn policies before the...