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What people fail to realize is that the US insisted on a "takings clause" being part of NAFTA. If you were going to invest in Mexico, you would want that protection. The takings clause works both ways and the US refusal to admit Mexican trucks would be considered a takings, and the US would be liable for damages.

There has been much bad PR surrounding the takings cases associated with NAFTA and Mexico doesn't want any bad PR on trucking so they have jumped thru the hoops. All the inspection stations have been built. As to whether they would actually sue, eventually they would. In the mean time, they could retaliate. As you may have read, the prearranged NAFTA date for allowing US produce into Mexico is rapidly approaching. The Mexicans could say: if you don't let our trucks in, we won't let your produce in. This would be a major loss to the US.

My main concern over this is the safety factor. Will the Mexican trucks undergo the same safety inspections as American trucks? Will the drivers be hauling hazardous material, and, if so, will they be qualified?

As for the economic effects, the independent, owner-operators could be hurt. The major truckers probably won't be effected, since their strength is service and dependablity. Most customers utilize just-in-time ordering, and cannot afford to take risks with foreign carriers.

and Mexico doesn't want any bad PR on trucking so they have jumped thru the hoops.

Have the Mexican truck drivers learned even a minimal amount of English as part of their "jumping thru hoops" or is the ability to read US road signs considered unimportant? Will the foreign drivers be tested for competency in basic simple English even to protect American lives?