Mexican Trucking Dispute May Be Resolved

The Obama administration released a concept paper Thursday intended to pave the way to ending the nearly two-year-long dispute of the Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program, which has severely reduced exports of crops to Mexico.

Advertisement

Western Growers stated in a press release that it has worked with several federal agencies including USDA, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative since the tariffs were implemented in March of 2009 to resolve the dispute. The specialty crop industry, particularly producers of grapes, pears, and strawberries, have seen sales to Mexico drop considerably due to the retaliatory tariffs levied by Mexico on these, and other, U.S. agricultural products. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack phoned Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif Thursday morning telling him of the announcement.

“We welcome this news as a positive first step in resolving a serious problem that has been detrimental to many of our growers and shippers in California and Arizona,” said Nassif. “It is our hope that the U.S. government will reach a favorable agreement with Mexico and that the U.S. Congress will be ready and willing to consider and support a plan that is reasonable and fair.”

The proposal was issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide the framework for negotiations to resolve the cross-border trucking dispute with Mexico. The concept proposal identifies issues related to truck safety issues. These include requirements that drivers have good driving records and understand U.S. and state driving laws; drivers can speak sufficient English; vehicles are safe to drive and comply with emissions standards; vehicles be inspected and carriers have safety management programs in place.

Mexican trucks are allowed to operate within about 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, and under a Department of Transportation pilot program begun in 2007, limited Mexican carriers were allowed access to all U.S. roads. Language to terminate the program was included in an appropriation bill approved by Congress and signed by Obama in early 2009. Congress’s decision to terminate the cross-border trucking program with Mexico was later found illegal under NAFTA and generated retaliatory tariffs on more than 90 U.S. products and subsequent decreases in exports.

Top Articles
Have a Plan For Climate Change? Why Fruit Growers Need To Act Now

Among the crops hit hard by the tariffs is potatoes. In the first year after the implementation, the 20% tariffs Mexico levied on U.S. frozen potato product imports resulted in a 50% decrease in shipments to Mexico, according to the Washington State Potato Commission. At the same time, shipments of the same potato products from Canada to Mexico were up more than 60%.

0

Leave a Reply

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

I am very pleased that President Obama has stepped in to solve this problem. I look forward to continuing to sell my pears to the Mexican grocery market. Thank you Western Fruit Grower for posting this important information quickly .

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

STOP! the tariifs were Retaliatory, meaning they were placed there to get teh Mexican government to cooperate for victimizing American Growers. We shouldn’t allow any produce to enter this country frmo Mexico. PERIOD!

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Not certain I like this. There is enough of a problem with drug, illegals, and terrorists coming across that southern border. To allow Mexican truckers across seems to be creating another hole in the swiss cheese border security we have now. Seems to me that Homeland Security would not want these trucks in our country. I hope they don’t allow this when they now have their eyes on the farmers who “might” provide a product that is contaminated.
Who is this govt trying to protect?

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

I am very pleased that President Obama has stepped in to solve this problem. I look forward to continuing to sell my pears to the Mexican grocery market. Thank you Western Fruit Grower for posting this important information quickly .

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

STOP! the tariifs were Retaliatory, meaning they were placed there to get teh Mexican government to cooperate for victimizing American Growers. We shouldn’t allow any produce to enter this country frmo Mexico. PERIOD!

Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

Not certain I like this. There is enough of a problem with drug, illegals, and terrorists coming across that southern border. To allow Mexican truckers across seems to be creating another hole in the swiss cheese border security we have now. Seems to me that Homeland Security would not want these trucks in our country. I hope they don’t allow this when they now have their eyes on the farmers who “might” provide a product that is contaminated.
Who is this govt trying to protect?

Advertisement