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Mexican Trucking Companies Sue U.S. Government, Alleging Discrimination
Associated Press ^ | Dec 18, 2001 | By Lynn Brezosky

Posted on 12/18/2001 2:04:35 PM PST by expose

Mexican Trucking Companies Sue U.S. Government, Alleging Discrimination

By Lynn Brezosky Associated Press Writer

Published: Dec 18, 2001

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - Eleven Mexican trucking companies filed a $4 billion lawsuit Tuesday, accusing the U.S. government of discrimination by denying them permits to operate and do business in United States. The complaint asserts that federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation, violated the North American Free Trade Agreement by allowing Canadian trucking firms more access than Mexican companies.

"There is no problem when trade is coming back and forth across the border," said lead attorney Fernando Chavez, the son of the late labor leader Cesar Chavez. "What causes the problem is when an individual who's Mexican is bringing it across."

The suit also alleges that Mexican truckers have been denied the right to invest in or own trucking companies based in the United States.

The plaintiffs' lawyers said the suit, filed in federal court in Brownsville, was on behalf of at least 185 Mexican trucking concerns. The $4 billion figure includes business and profits lost by Mexican companies since 1995, attorneys said.

A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Transportation Tuesday said he had no immediate comment.

Rob Black, spokesman for the Teamsters union, which represents more than 120,000 U.S. truck drivers, called the suit "baseless."

"We would call on the trucking companies and the government of Mexico and say that now is the time they should do what should have been done seven years ago when NAFTA was passed: Improve their trucks," Black said.

The issue of Mexican trucks in the United States has simmered since a part of the NAFTA agreement called for allowing trucks to travel first throughout Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas by December 1995 and throughout the United States by January 2000.

While Canadian trucks were allowed, the agreement was delayed for Mexican trucks by former President Clinton.

After the White House threatened a veto on stricter legislation, a compromise was approved earlier this month that requires U.S. inspectors to conduct safety examinations of Mexican trucking companies, their vehicles, as well as driver's license verification.

Implementing the rules is expected to take months


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To: KirklandJunction
I know of some Mexican businessmen who are trying to buy a failing trucking company in Nogales

Too bad but the US is a separate country and they aren't citizens here. The feds make it rough on Americans buying and running a company, if they don't like the rules they could invest in their own country. Americans are faced with many regulations if they try to own a business in Mexico.

21 posted on 12/18/2001 3:31:02 PM PST by FITZ
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To: swampfox98
Good. I hope they sue our idiot arses off, and the Republican party has to pay for it. Thanks to the spineless bunch that loves NAFTA, and encourages illegal immigration.

Umm. Sure, Swampfox, it's those Republicans that want all of the Mexicans to slip over the border. Uh huh. Is that so all of the illegals can vote some conservatives into office? You've obviously been hittin' the Cuervo a tad hard.

22 posted on 12/18/2001 3:33:25 PM PST by cincinnati_Steve
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To: FITZ
Sorry you're against foreign investment. It would mean money and jobs for Americans.
23 posted on 12/18/2001 3:36:04 PM PST by KirklandJunction
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To: expose
Chilling.....
24 posted on 12/18/2001 3:38:46 PM PST by swampfox98
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To: swampfox98
I hope they sue our idiot arses off...

Hey!...Who's "our"...you and the mouse in yer pocket?...Bwahahahaha!!!...But I do agree with you on nafta BS and the borders being "open"...

Watch the next 5 years...The US Dollar will become the stock'n'trade, there will be no "borders" to speak of between US, Canada, Mexico...South America will follow, and I don't care what "Party" of the same is in power, that's where we're headed. IMHO of course.

FMCDH

25 posted on 12/18/2001 3:41:21 PM PST by nothingnew
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To: expose
Well, I own and drive a truck, and have for about 7 years. I spent 5 months running the border between Brownsville and Laredo/Eagle Pass (on the US side, of course). I've never heard of an American truck going over the border. US trucks go to expeditors, drop their trailers, and go find somewhere to waste a day while the Mexicans take the trailers over and bring 'em back. Maexicans are already allowed into the states, but only within 50 miles (I think--not sure of the distance)

Agree with earlier post that there's no great difference between the two countries' trucks. Short haul trucks everywhere are in poorer condition than longhaul rigs. You aren't going to be engaged in longhaul trucking with a piece o' crap truck...getting towed is no small expense...best to keep a 'maybe' truck close to home.

A better issue is that the vast majority of these Mexican drivers can't speak Ehglish to a degree that would engender any warm fuzzy feelings of safety in my mind. Although, Canadian truckers can be just as bad (maybe I should have said "Quebecians" or whatever they call their socialist backsides), I've been at several receivers or shippers and seen some humorous exchanges between French-speakers and Americans.

26 posted on 12/18/2001 3:42:23 PM PST by cincinnati_Steve
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To: VA Advogado
NO!
27 posted on 12/18/2001 3:42:34 PM PST by sausageseller
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To: sausageseller
NO!

So its not the trucks you fear, its the mexicans. Go back to your cave. This is a new world my friend. El mejicano poseerá su hogar y casará a sus hijas.

28 posted on 12/18/2001 3:49:11 PM PST by VA Advogado
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To: KirklandJunction
Why don't they consider investing in Mexico so their own citizens can have jobs and money? There's no guarantee they'll even hire Americans if they buy the company. I don't see why with supposedly free trade, only Mexicans can own businesses in the US but you won't see the Mexican government allow Americans to go to Mexico and start businesses easily if at all. They seem to be pretty intent on making much of the US theirs.
29 posted on 12/18/2001 3:49:31 PM PST by FITZ
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To: expose
Clever this Mexicans! You really have to watch out!

WATCH WHERE YOU SIT GRINGO!

30 posted on 12/18/2001 3:49:48 PM PST by stlrocket
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To: bayourod
There was a series in the Kansas City Star this week on trucker safety. It concentrated on fatigue. Today's story talked about the Mexican trucking industry. No limits on driving time. No log book requirements. Truckers driving 24 hours straight. Truckers working 17 hours a day, 7 days a week. As bad as enforcement of our driving limits are it will be worse with the addition of the foreign drivers. Here is a link to the article. See for yourself.
31 posted on 12/18/2001 3:53:21 PM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: bayourod
Studies have shown that they are no less safe than short haul trucks in any other part of America

You must know nothing about the trucking industry. I have watched the junk trucks bought at auction in the states and then seen them transported to the border.

If you would stand at the border crossing and look at all the old junk coming from mexico, that are former US companies worn out trucks, then travel to the Ambassador bridge at Detroit and see the difference your would have some comprehension of the subject as it applies to safety alone.

32 posted on 12/18/2001 3:55:48 PM PST by sausageseller
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To: KirklandJunction
Hey folks, Mexican cars and trucks driving north say to Phoenix are subject to the same laws anybody else is.

While there is a degree of legitimate concern about safety, this is really an economic issue. I am willing to listen to the arguments, but it pisses me off when people use "safety" when they really mean "money". There might be a reasosnable argument to prohibit Mexican trucks from entering this country. I just wish they would stop with the "for the children", "it's about your safety" and argue their real agenda.

33 posted on 12/18/2001 4:03:22 PM PST by Random Access
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To: VA Advogado
Read post 31 and the link. It is a safety issue reguardless how you spin it! BTW it is the same world just inhabited with more uneducated like you.
34 posted on 12/18/2001 4:06:26 PM PST by sausageseller
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To: nothingnew
I think you are right. However, the last time I read that on FR, the poster was called a nut by someone who hides his head in the sand. Sigh
35 posted on 12/18/2001 4:09:46 PM PST by swampfox98
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To: FITZ
Because they see a bigger market HERE for their produce because they are already successful selling to Mexican markets.
They would hire Americans here because the ONLY phone and other utilities are American. The trucks they want to buy are made in America. They stay in the local Holiday Inn because their company has a corporate rate (worldwide) with Holiday Inn. Ditto with Hertz.
...and yes, one of the guys likes to come to my house because he likes my pool table.
He thinks of solutions, not reasons for failure.
36 posted on 12/18/2001 4:12:28 PM PST by KirklandJunction
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Comment #37 Removed by Moderator

To: cincinnati_Steve
You've obviously been hittin' the Cuervo a tad hard.

Are you denying that President Bush said he plans to give amnesty to all illegals, or at least make a start? Do you hear any Republicans with enough guts who will say we are in danger of losing our vote and our country to these people if the massive invasion doesn't end? hhhmmmmmm? The Pubs are the party in power, aren't they? Why don't they bloody shut down the borders, and stop the criminal activity? They have no intentions of doing this, so let them pay the bloody fine out of their ill gotten savings accounts.

38 posted on 12/18/2001 4:19:47 PM PST by swampfox98
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To: swampfox98
Umm, no, the Republicans are not in power. Now, if those DemonCrat buttwipes and smegaman Jeffords weren't the majority in the Senate, then they'd be 'in power'. I don't understand your thinking. I guarantee that Bush doesn't want to grant citizenship to every illegal in the country...that's just contrary to well-informed common sense. And what's up with you wanting to throw up a wall around our borders? Hell, I personally enjoy the view at the beach.
39 posted on 12/18/2001 4:24:41 PM PST by cincinnati_Steve
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To: EricOKC
Now that we've dribbled down to name calling, it's time to move on.
40 posted on 12/18/2001 4:26:39 PM PST by KirklandJunction
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