Mexico Announces Intent to Apply $2.4 Billion in Tariffs to U.S. Exports Due to Termination of Trucking Pilot
The White House press secretary stated at a briefing on March 16, 2009 that Mexico has announced its intent to take retaliatory actions against a range of U.S. exports in response to the termination of a cross-border, long-distance trucking pilot that allowed a small number of Mexican trucks to enter the U.S. beyond the border commercial zones, and provided reciprocal access to U.S. companies in Mexico.
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Mexico Would Apply $2.4 Billion in Tariffs to 90 U.S. Products in Retaliation
According to a press release from Senator Dorgan, the Mexican government announced that it will apply $2.4 billion in tariffs to 90 U.S. agricultural and industrial products in retaliation for termination of the pilot.
FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Ended Funding for Trucking Pilot
The fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill (Public Law 111-8) terminated the pilot by ending its FY 2009 funding. Congress has opposed the project in the past because of concerns about the process that led to the program's establishment and its operation.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/25/09 news, 09022510, for BP summary on the cross-border trucking funding prohibition.)
Administration and Key Senator to Work on Legislation for New Trucking Project
According to the press secretary, the President has tasked the Transportation Department to work with the U.S. Trade Representative and the State Department, along with leaders in Congress and Mexican officials, to propose legislation creating a new trucking project that will meet the legitimate concerns of Congress and U.S. NAFTA commitments.
Senator Dorgan, the sponsor of the amendment that ended the program, sent a letter to the Secretary of Transportation expressing his willingness to work with the administration in good faith to address this issue.
Briefing by Press Secretary Gibbs (dated 03/16/09) available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Briefing-by-WH-Press-Secretary-Gibbs-3-16-09/
Senator Dorgan's press release (dated 03/16/09) available at http://dorgan.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=309853