Transport Secretariat calls for ban on U.S. trucks in Mexico (NAFTA)

TheNewsMexico.com ^ | Dec. 14, 2002 | EFE

[madfly]

U.S. trucks line up to cross the border. Mexican transport officials are urging the government to place a ban on commercial vehicles from the United States. File Photo, TheNewsMexico.com

Transport Secretariat calls for ban on U.S. trucks in Mexico
EFE - 12/14/2002

MEXICO CITY - The Transportation Secretariat here on Friday urged the Economy Secretariat to ban U.S. trucks from Mexico in response to the United States' refusal to allow Mexican trucks on its highways.

According to the local press, Transportation Secretary Pedro Cerisola said "the privileges of U.S. truck drivers can be suspended" under Article 2019 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In a Dec. 10 letter to Economy Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez, Cerisola explained the reasons for his displeasure with the current situation regarding trucks.

On Jan. 26, a NAFTA arbitration panel issued a ruling favorable to Mexico, urging the United States to allow Mexican trucks into the country, but the White House refused to accept this, citing safety concerns.

The U.S. decision, Cerisola said, "contains discriminatory elements" against Mexican truckers.

On Nov. 27, the United States gave the green light for Mexican trucks to travel its highways beginning in 2003, subject to safety inspection, proof of insurance and maintenance contracts with U.S. providers, and the testing of drivers for drugs and alcohol.

Currently, Mexican trucks are allowed on U.S. highways only within a strip extending 35 kilometers (21 miles) from the border.

According to Washington's figures, 4.3 million trucks crossed the U.S.-Mexico border last year.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

30,000 trucks is still wa.....ay too many.

[Consort]

[FITZ]

If you look at the routes the Mexican buses are apparently allowed to take passengers between NY City and Miami, and between Chicago and NY City and it seems like LA also. Our government first made it sound like the buses and trucks would be allowed to travel from Mexico cities directly to American cities and wouldn't travel from one American point to another ---but this doesn't appear to be true ---even this early into the game.

[FITZ]

The problem we face is that the Mexicans look out for Mexico but our so called representatives only look out for the highest bidder.

You're giving the Mexican politicians far too much credit, they aren't looking out for Mexico, they are looking out to line their own pockets. NAFTA isn't benefitting the average Mexican anymore than it's benefitting the average American. All the benefits are to the few who plan to make their big bucks from these deals.

There isn't an honest politician in all of Mexico, patriotism to Mexico is a concept they don't uderstand at all ----much like our own politicians. They're all on the make.

[Paulie]

"The problem we face is that the Mexicans look out for Mexico but our so called representatives only look out for the highest bidder. Makes you real proud."

Well said.

[need_a_screen_name]

What if Canada banned U.S. trucks? Should we then allow Canadian trucks in the U.S.? Not for a minute. As a simple matter of self-respect, if Mexican trucks are banned from the U.S., even if for good safety reasons, Mexico should also ban our trucks. If the Mexicans do not defend their national interest through such legitimate peaceful means, it will only cause greater resentment against us.

Did you miss this part?

"On Nov. 27, the United States gave the green light for Mexican trucks to travel its highways beginning in 2003, subject to safety inspection, proof of insurance and maintenance contracts with U.S. providers, and the testing of drivers for drugs and alcohol."

Their trucks are going to be allowed entry. That is why what the Mexcicans are saying now is so stupid.

[ApesForEvolution]

Mexico...a neighbor with cheap labor and lots of oil.

[wcbtinman]

People had better come to realize the impact of the trucking industry has on the welfare of the entire US. Sooner or later, everything in the US gets there by truck.

You want to have a 'Mexican trucker' strike when they end up with a significant part of the US hauling business? (rhetorical question)

If you think that OPEC was a major interruption back in the 70's, just wait until this scenario plays out. A third world shithole will bring the US to it's knees without firing a shot.

[nanny]

If and when the mexican truck drivers get here, the Teamsters will organize them

The teamsters are already working on them - and I am not a union fan- but this time I am cheering for the union. I hope they come into this country and unionize every chicken plant, farm worker center, textile mill,etc., all over this country.

I will just be poetic justice for those who sat and cheered NAFTA as a union buster and those who still cheer when their hear a company is closed down that is a union company.

[Jhoffa_]

MEXICO CITY - The Transportation Secretariat here on Friday urged the Economy Secretariat to ban U.S. trucks from Mexico in response to the United States' refusal to allow Mexican trucks on its highways.

Bwahaha! Bwahaha!

Oh, that's rich..

Who's their chief economist, Robert Mugabe?

Go ahead and ban us.. go on. I dare ya.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

North American FAILED Trade Agreement!

[Ben Ficklin]

NAFTA deals only with scheduled bus service. Mexican tour and charter service was, is, and will be available. You can assume there there is some rule bending going on.

The original date for scheduled bus service to commence for Mexican and US carriers was 1997, but of course it was delayed. Canada and the US had an agreement that predated NAFTA.

The DallasNews article from yesterday mentioning that Greyhound and Estrella Blanca had signed an agreement to interline their scheduled services suggests that neither plans to operate scheduled service cross border.

[sit-rep]

Ummmm....I thought a couple weeks ago, the Bush signed and order allowing Mexican Trucks to roll in the states. This article says, "The white house refused"... What gives?? Did Bush allow the trucks or did he not??

Inquiring minds would like to know!!

SR

[theFIRMbss]

>A third world shithole will bring the US to it's knees...

I'm surprised our pols
don't want to make Mexico
our 51st state!

[janetgreen]

A third world shithole will bring the US to it's knees without firing a shot.

It has already happened in California. Millions of llegal aliens get a free pass here, with all the trimmings.

[madfly]

bttt

[FITZ]

I realize I should have given my source for those figures:

http://www.diario.com.mx/servicios/hemeroteca/nota.asp?notaid=20531

Paulino Martínez, del PRD, indicó que cada uno de los cinco ex presidentes de México vivos representa un gasto público superior a los 5 millones de dólares anuales, diez veces más de lo que reciben los ex mandatarios de Estados Unidos, quienes cada año ganan 461 mil 200 dólares.

El representante popular consideró grave que mientras 50 millones de mexicanos no alcanzan a ganar 50 pesos al día, los ex mandatarios Luis Echeverría Alvarez, José López Portillo, Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado, Carlos Salinas de Gortari y Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León obtengan, en conjunto, casi 260 millones.