Chamber Applauds Ruling on Trucking Dispute with Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce hailed a NAFTA dispute panel's ruling that should lead to opening Mexican roadways to U.S. trucks and allow Mexican trucks that meet U.S. safety regulations to operate in the United States.

"This ruling is an important step forward," said Thomas J. Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "The United States made a solemn commitment under NAFTA to open its border to Mexican trucks — just as Mexico promised to do for American trucks. It's time we both kept our word."

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the United States and Mexico agreed to grant one another's trucks partial access beginning in 1995. This access was to be expanded from border zones to all states by January 1, 2000. Local authorities retain full authority to certify the safety of trucks, regardless of nationality.

However, the Clinton Administration refused to open the U.S. border to Mexican trucks in 1995, and Mexico in turn has kept its border closed to U.S. trucks. The issue was referred earlier this year to a NAFTA dispute resolution panel.

In a preliminary ruling yesterday, the dispute panel said that if the United States does not open its borders to Mexican trucks, American businesses could face steep retaliatory duties on products sold in Mexico. Analysts anticipate the final determination to be unchanged when it is released in two weeks.

"NAFTA has been a tremendous success, doubling our trade with Mexico in the past five years," said Donohue. "Two-way trade should surpass $225 billion this year.

"Because NAFTA has already eliminated most tariffs and other barriers to trade with Mexico, improving our transportation infrastructure is the best thing we can do to keep this tremendous partnership on track," Donohue added.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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