American Trucking Associations officials praised leaders in Mexico and the United States for their work to end the long-running, and unnecessary, dispute over cross-border trucking.
“We’re pleased that after years of delay, and untold billions in economic damage, the Obama Administration has found a way to live up to our obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said. “Congress put us in this position of violating NAFTA in 2009 by halting a successful pilot program. This short-sighted action led to Mexico raising tariffs on hundreds of products, which we’re thankful to the Mexican government for dropping.”
Incoming ATA Chairman Dan England, chairman of C R England Inc, echoed Graves’ remarks, which were made during ATA’s 2011 Management Conference & Exhibition October 15 to 18 in Grapevine TX.
“These tariffs hurt not just American farmers and manufacturers, but carriers like mine that carried those goods into Mexico,” England said. “By resolving this dispute, the administration has seen clear to overlook the alarmist and overblown claims by organized labor and alleged ‘safety’ groups to promote open markets for US companies in this time of economic challenge.”
American Trucking Associations has a long-standing policy in support of NAFTA’s cross-border trucking provisions, provided those provisions are implemented equally.
“The trucking provisions of NAFTA should allow for more efficient, safe and secure trade between the US and one of its largest trading partners,” Graves said. “While we still have reservations about how the US government will provide oversight for Mexican carriers, we hope that Mexico will also provide transparent access for American companies eager to compete in the market.”