Thread: No end in sight for Mexico trucking dilemma

No end in sight for Mexico trucking dilemma
Published on 11/11/2010 12:00PM
by Tom Burfield

NOGALES, Ariz. — Nogales-area produce shippers have sided with Mexican truckers in the controversial decision by the U.S. government to abandon a pilot program allowing truck drivers from south of the border to travel freely throughout the U.S.

Currently, trucks from Mexico are confined to a limited area near U.S. border crossings where they drop off their loads.

In compliance with the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. implemented a test program in 2007 that allowed Mexican drivers to deliver their loads to the U.S. interior, provided they and their vehicles met certain criteria.

The move was vigorously opposed by U.S. unions, and funding for the program was withdrawn for the 2009 fiscal year.

The Mexican government retaliated by levying hefty tariffs on dozens of U.S. commodities, including table grapes.

U.S. government officials say they’re working to resolve the issue, but as of early this fall, no solution was in sight.

In mid-October, Jose Luis Paz Vega, head of the trade and North American Free Trade Agreement office at the Mexican embassy in Washington, said during a luncheon speech that Mexico no longer will settle for anything but a permanent program, according to a story in the Journal of Commerce.

“If you put in place a demonstration project similar to what we had, it can begin, but it can be de-funded at any time,â€

Of all the nerve.

[quote]
In mid-October, Jose Luis Paz Vega, head of the trade and North American Free Trade Agreement office at the Mexican embassy in Washington, said during a luncheon speech that Mexico no longer will settle for anything but a permanent program, according to a story in the Journal of Commerce.

“If you put in place a demonstration project similar to what we had, it can begin, but it can be de-funded at any time,â€