MEXICANS' TRUCKS * USA - More Details on the Cross Border Trucking Deal with Mexico

Mexican officials are revealing more details on the recent agreement between Obama and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon 

Washington,DC,USA -Trucks Drivers News, by Jason– March 9, 2011: -- Obama opens border, defies unions, and ignores Congress on the controversial cross-border issue with Mexico...  This time around the authorizations to allow the Mexican trucks onto the US highways will be permanent. The program has no limit on the carriers or number of trucks to be allowed into the US – provided they can pass an inspection of their trucks and the accreditation of their operators... This will happen in three stages:

•The first stage will be the application and inspection of the Mexican trucks and the accreditation of their operators.

•The second stage starts with a three-month period of thorough inspections of the vehicles crossing the border, checks that will decrease starting the fourth month.

•The final stage involves the Mexican companies being notified of their permanent authorization, which can be granted after 18 months of successful operations. This authorization can only be revoked if a safety regulation is broken.

The United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood along with Obama “tout” that this new cross-border trucking plan with Mexico is going to create jobs. But, it does not take a genius to see that by allowing Mexican trucks into the US will cut jobs... Mexico reserves the right to re-introduce its illegal tariffs if any parts of the agreement are violated by the United States. Strong arm tatics, and the US does not have the guts to stand up to them... One more piece of good news to you is that a Department of Transportation official speaking on background confirmed that under the plan, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will require Mexican trucks to use electronic on-board recorders as part of their satellite tracking systems... The systems will be paid for by FMCSA to ensure that the agency will own and control all the data they gather, the spokesman said...

 
* USA - Truckers Divided On Mexico-U.S. Deal

ARK,USA -The Times Record, by Wanda Freeman -March 5, 2011:  --  Depending on which side of the road they drive, Arkansas trucking industry insiders on Friday offered a variety of reactions to a new cross-border trucking agreement between the United States and Mexico...  According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Mexico has agreed to lift its sanctions in two phases - half of the tariffs when the agreement is signed and the other half when the first Mexican truck complies with U.S. requirements and can cross over...  ABF Freight System likes the agreement, according to company spokesman David Humphrey...  According to the statement, Mexico is the second-largest export market for the United States, and more than 70 percent of the goods traded between the countries crosses the border by truck...  Lane Kidd, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association, said the statewide group also supports the new agreement, with the caveat that Mexican truckers not only meet the same safety requirements as U.S. truckers but also experience tax equity...  In contrast, labor unions at the local and national levels are more skeptical of the agreement. The longstanding bans against Mexican trucks - eventually found to be in violation of NAFTA - were largely based on concerns about the safety of Mexican trucks...  In a report from McClatchy Newspapers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Jim Hoffa said Mexican trucks simply don't meet the same standards as U.S. trucks... 

* California - Border trucking industry faces major shake-up

San Diego,CAL,USA -KUSI News, by David Davis -Mar 8, 2011: --  The new trade agreement between the U.S. and Mexico will have a profound effect on San Diego County's border crossings. Those in favor say it will spur the economy. Those against say it'll cost American jobs...

* USA would buy EOBRs for Mexican trucks

Washington,DC,USA -Fleet Owner, by Brian Straight -Mar 10, 2011: -- According to the agreement announced last week between President Barack Obama and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon, any Mexican-based truck operating inside the U.S. borders would be required to install an electronic onboard recorder (EOBR). What wasn’t announced at that time, but has since come to light through various published reports is the fact that those EOBR’s will be paid for by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA)... While specific details are starting to leak out, based on a “concept document” released by the Dept. of Transportation in early January, any Mexican-based truck would have to meet U.S. safety and environmental regulations, including 2010 emissions. Drivers would also have to know U.S. traffic laws and pass a basic English proficiency test... The Obama Administration said the plan, once finalized, would appear in the Federal Register and be open to public comment. It would also be presented to Congress for approval, although that is not necessary, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Chamber of Congress...


* USA / DC - House Democrat questions White House plan to open border to Mexican trucks

Washington,DC,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by William B. Cassidy  -Mar 14, 2011:  -- A key House Democrat is questioning whether the Obama administration has the authority to launch a new cross-border trucking program with Mexico...  Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., wants the Department of Transportation to provide proof that it is operating within its legal authority in establishing a broad program...  Democrats in Congress are likely to challenge the administration's authority to open the border to Mexican trucks, but it's not clear that they would have the votes...  Some key House Republicans argue the trucking impasse and retaliatory tariffs are hurting U.S. exporters and costing the U.S. thousands of jobs...