NAFTA Super Highway

[cyberdoo78]

Test to allow Mexican trucks deeper into U.S. starts July
By Lisa J. Adams / Associated Press
El Paso Times
Article Launched:05/09/2007 01:00:00 AM MDT

MEXICO CITY -- Despite widespread resistance from U.S. truckers and numerous safety concerns in Congress, officials are confident a pilot program to allow Mexican trucks into all areas of the United States will be in place by July, a top U.S. trade official said Tuesday.

Franklin Lavin, undersecretary of commerce for international trade, also said a proposed border fence to stem undocumented immigration from Mexico into the U.S. would not negatively affect trade over the long run and that high crime rates in Mexico would not deter continued U.S. business investment.

"The United States supports the implementation of the NAFTA trucking provisions and is working to address recent congressional concerns," Lavin told business leaders at a luncheon sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico.

He added that while he understands the safety concerns, "To my mind Mexico has lived up to its responsibility" in addressing them. "We fully intend to go ahead with liberalization in July," he said. "So we're on track."

Lavin said both governments are working to improve the efficiency of border crossings, which he said have been more of an impediment to smooth trade than increased security.

The Bush administrationannounced the one-year pilot program in February, and it initially was scheduled to go into effect at the end of April. But April 30, the U.S. Transportation Department bowed to congressional pressure and said it would allow 30 more days of public comment.

Earlier last month, the Teamsters Union, The Sierra Club, Public Citizen and the Environmental Law Foundation filed a lawsuit in a federal court to block the project from going forward, citing safety and environmental concerns. One of the major concerns is that Mexican trucks, often older than U.S. cargo vehicles, won't be able to meet rigorous U.S. safety standards.

"Some in the U.S. have legitimate concerns and others are coming from a more nationalistic bent," Lavin said at a roundtable discussion after the luncheon.

On the planned border fence, Lavin said it is unlikely to deter trade between the two countries.

The attitude of the two governments is to "make sure that at the same time we're working to protect our borders the way we see fit, that we're doing everything we can to pursue legitimate trade."

In other matters, Lavin said Mexico's high crime rates may have an impact on U.S. investment "on the margins," but said that it should be far outweighed by the "positive news," including Mexico's continued economic growth and acceptance of U.S. products. "I'm pretty optimistic about continued U.S. corporate participation in the Mexican economy," he said.

------------------------
Yeah, this will be great for trade. We'll let you have what you want and we won't demand anything in return.