Nearly two years since the termination of the pilot program that allowed expanded access to the United States by select Mexican carriers, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Jan. 6 offered Congress and the government of Mexico an initial concept document for a long haul cross-border Mexican trucking program that emphasizes safety and satisfies the United States’ international obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The proposal, which can be downloaded here, outlines the steps Mexican carriers would have to take, including a comprehensive safety audit and vetting process, before being granted access to operate in the United States. Carriers that would be phased in to the program would undergo a number of inspections and reviews as part of a monitoring process to ensure continued safe operation in the United States.
After the demonstration program was terminated in March 2009, Mexican government officials responded by placing tariffs on a number of U.S. products. Last August, Mexico added additional tariffs, for a total of 99 U.S. products.
After the ban in 2009, LaHood and other Administration officials met with lawmakers, safety advocates, industry representatives and other stakeholders to address a broad range of concerns. The DOT says the initial concept document, which is a starting point in the renewed negotiations with Mexico, addresses concerns raised during that process.
“With so much focus in Washington on creating jobs, it’s a bit shocking that the administration would pursue a program that can only rob U.S. drivers of their jobs,” said Todd Spencer, executive vice-president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
“While we appreciate that the administration is proposing to allow Congress and the public to weigh in on a future trucking program with Mexico, they seem to be missing the main issue at hand,” Spencer added. “The onus is upon Mexico to raise their regulatory standards, not on the U.S. to lower ours to accommodate their trucking industry.”
The DOT says a formal proposal can be expected in the coming months followed by a public comment period.
(source etrucker.com)
