U.S. Chamber Hails Opening of Mexican Border to Trucks

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce welcomed a NAFTA dispute panel's ruling that will 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.

"Opening the U.S. - Mexican border to truck traffic is long overdue," said Willard Workman, Chamber vice president for international affairs. "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."

The U.S. has kept its borders closed to Mexican trucks - and Mexico, in turn, has kept its border closed to U.S. trucks - since the Clinton Administration charged that Mexican trucks did not meet American safety standards. Under 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.

A NAFTA dispute resolution panel found the United States to be in violation of the free trade agreement and said unless the border is opened, American businesses could face steep retaliatory duties on products sold in Mexico.

"Charges that Mexican trucks should be denied entry based on safety considerations are a political smokescreen," said Workman. "Under NAFTA, the U.S. has the full authority to inspect - and reject - trucks that do not meet our safety standards. The Clinton Administration's action to close the border was political payback to the Teamsters' Union."

NAFTA has been a tremendous success, doubling U.S. trade with Mexico in the past five years to more than $225 billion a year, according to the Chamber. Because NAFTA has already eliminated most tariffs and other barriers to trade with Mexico, resolving the transportation dispute is important in keeping the partnership on track.

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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01-23