U.S. To Offer Compromise In Mexican Trucking Dispute

[Purveyor]

Source: WSJ

By ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON

WASHINGTON—The Obama administration Thursday offered a proposal to allow Mexican long-haul trucks to operate in the U.S. in compliance with the North American Free Trade Agreement, signaling a new effort to break a stalemate that provoked Mexico to slap punitive tariffs on an array of U.S. goods.

Under a "concept document" released Thursday by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Mexican truckers would be allowed to apply for permits to operate in the U.S., and undergo inspections and safety audits by U.S. authorities. The number of Mexican trucks allowed to operate in the U.S. would be subject to negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico.

The U.S. has barred Mexican trucks from operating in the U.S. since March 2009. Mexico has said the ban violates Nafta, and has hit certain U.S. products with punitive tariffs.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704415104576065924125822128.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[Purveyor]

1. Much better article on this topic from Dow Jones:

By Josh Mitchell, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The Obama administration said Thursday it would enter talks with Mexico designed to lift a U.S. ban on Mexican truckers operating north of the border, a key shift that business groups saw as a move toward more open trade policies.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood sent a blueprint to Congress outlining principles the White House would push in attempting to resolve the conflict. He said a formal proposal could emerge in coming months, and another U.S. official said the goal was to have the nearly two-year-old ban lifted "as soon as possible."

A Mexican official said the country was "optimistic" a deal could be reached soon but cautioned that a resolution has been elusive in the past.

The White House risks angering some Democratic lawmakers and powerful unions that have opposed lifting the ban on the grounds that such a move would reduce trucker safety standards and kill U.S. jobs. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters strongly denounced the plan. And a union ally, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D., Ore.), instantly pushed for a hearing on the matter, his spokeswoman said.

---snip---
"It's another tilt in the direction of pulling trade policy out of the basement, up into at least the first floor," Hufbauer said.

He said he believed it wasn't a coincidence the White House announcement came on the day that President Obama selected as his chief of staff William M. Daley, who successfully pushed the North American Free Trade Agreement through Congress in the early 1990s.

MORE...

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201101061716dowjonesdjonline000547&title=us-to-work-to-resolve-mexican-trucking-dispute

[Andy823]

2. If this does happen

ALL the drivers need to pass the same test as those who drive trucks in the U.S.! If they don't pas the test, the shouldn't be allowed to drive here! Myself I don't really like the idea since I see it as simply another way for corporations to lower the wages in this country!

[earthside]

3. Let's wreck the U.S. trucking industry.

What a great idea!

Obama: keep your campaign promise -- re-open NAFTA and protect American jobs!

[awoke_in_2003]

5. "Obama: keep your campaign promise"

thanks for the laugh

[awoke_in_2003]

4. well, the Teamsters...

were the last holdout when it comes to union busting. This one pretty much takes care of that. We will return to the '20's pretty soon. Suck it up, America, and smell the plutocracy.

[bemildred]

6. Just repeal NAFTA. Much simpler and it will work well too. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. How likely is that with a GOP-controlled House?

[jerseyjack]

7. Wasn't Obama Going to Renegotiate Nafta?

Another unfulfilled promise.