Mexican lobby fights for truck program
By ERIKA LOVLEY | 9/22/08 9:54 PM EDT

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is bolstering Mexico’s efforts to save the truck program, arguing that the Mexican trucks are tightly regulated and offer unique business opportunities to the U.S. economy.

The House has made it veto-proof clear: The controversial pilot program allowing big Mexican trucks to cross the U.S. border and travel into the country must end.

The Senate has yet to act, though. And Mexico and its U.S. big-business allies are ramping up their efforts to block the repeal, including a renewed warning by Mexican officials to retaliate against U.S. exports if the program is abolished.

Mexican Embassy officials say the year-old pilot program has been a positive development for both countries, allowing Mexican and American drivers to deliver goods across the border. Before, Mexican truckers were allowed to transfer goods only within a 20-mile commercial zone along the border.

Just back from its long summer recess, on Sept. 9, the House overwhelmingly voted, 395-18, to scuttle the program only a few weeks after U.S. transportation officials announced it would be extended for another two years. Lobbyists supporting the program say they are already having an increasingly tough time getting the attention of the Senate.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is bolstering Mexico’s efforts to save the program, arguing that the Mexican trucks are tightly regulated and offer unique business opportunities to the U.S. economy. And to highlight the issue, Chamber President Thomas Donohue recently traveled to Mexico to confer about the program with key officials.

“This whole issue is much more wrapped up in immigration and anti-Mexican sentiment that you see across the board,â€