Swine Flu May Complicate Mexican Truck Plan, LaHood Says

Efforts to stop the spread of swine flu in the United States and Mexico have delayed resolution of a plan to allow Mexican trucks to deliver goods across the U.S., Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday, Bloomberg reported.

The flu outbreak complicated resolution of the cross-border trucking dispute with Mexico, Reuters reported late last month after the flu strain was first reported as becoming widespread.

Concerns over public health might slow U.S. officials in their attempts to open U.S. highways to Mexican trucks, Reuters said, citing an international trade consultant.

Congress derailed the cross-border pilot plan earlier this year, after which the Mexican government put more than $2 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods.