Lawmakers Seek Resolution of Mexican Trucks Dispute
A group of 56 U.S. lawmakers have urged the Obama administration to resolve a dispute with Mexico over cross-border trucking that has damaged bilateral trade, Reuters reported.
The current situation is “unsustainable and untenable,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Reuters said.
“Our constituents need help immediately and we implore you to work quickly to implement a solution that ensures safety and normalizes trade,” the letter stated. “Please communicate your plans for a solution so we are better able to understand the administration’s strategy.”
Mexican trucks are allowed to operate within about 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, and under the Bush administration DOT began pilot program in 2007 to allow some Mexican carriers free access to all U.S. roads.
The Obama administration suspended the program a year ago in March 2009, and a group of Mexican carriers subsequently threatened to sue the U.S. for $6 billion for violating the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement.
Kirk said last month in Mexico City that the two countries need to resolve the dispute as soon as possible.
