U.S. and Mexico Presidents Agree to End Trucking Dispute, Lift Duties in 2 Steps, Etc.
During the March 3, 2011 visit by Mexican President Calderón to the White House, the U.S. and Mexico announced that they have found a clear path to resolving the cross-border long-haul trucking dispute. According to a White House fact sheet, this agreement will allow for the establishment of a reciprocal, phased-in program built on the highest safety standards that will authorize both Mexican and U.S. long-haul carriers to engage in cross-border operations under NAFTA.
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Mexico Would Phase Out Retaliatory Tariffs Beginning When Agreement Signed
Once a final agreement is reached, Mexico will suspend its retaliatory tariffs in stages beginning with reducing tariffs by 50% at the signing of an agreement and will suspend the remaining 50% when the first Mexican carrier is granted operating authority under the program. Mexico will terminate all current tariffs once the program is normalized. The agreed schedule will not affect the rights and obligations of Mexico or the U.S. under the NAFTA, including Mexico's right to apply its retaliatory measures.
Agreement to also Have a Number of Program Improvements
The fact sheet further notes that the agreement will feature a number of program improvements that are important to both U.S. and Mexican interests.
Draft Final Agreement is Expected Soon
U.S. and Mexican negotiators are continuing to work through the remaining issues and expect to have a draft final agreement finished very soon.
As soon as all of the details are in place, the U.S. Department of Transportation and USTR will confer with interested members of Congress and publicly share the proposed agreement and seek comment.
See future issue of ITT for additional details on the U.S.-Mexico meeting.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/07/11 news, 11010715, for BP summary of the DOT’s proposed solution to the U.S.-Mexico border trucking dispute.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/10/11 news, 11011040, for BP summary stating that Mexico was analyzing the U.S. cross-border trucking proposal.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/01/11 news, 11030111, for BP summary of the FMCSA Administrator’s recent remarks on efforts to resolve the U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking dispute.)
White House fact sheet available here