Joins Other Leading Organizations in Pressing Congress to Fulfill NAFTA Obligations
Washington, DC - The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today joined 68 other leading business and agricultural organizations in sending a letter to all Members of Congress, urging them to permit the full implementation of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program, and oppose attempts to halt or impede the program. Full implementation of the pilot program is essential to fulfill U.S. trade obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
“If the United States is to be a responsible stakeholder in the global community and honor our obligations under NAFTA, it is critical that Congress allow the U.S.-Mexico trucking program to be fully implemented and refrain from attempts to disrupt the program,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “Mexico is the United States’ second largest trading partner, and the stability of U.S.-Mexico trade relations is vital to U.S. economic growth. Attempting to impede the trucking program’s implementation would put our economic relationship at risk.”
The Administration announced the introduction of the pilot program late last February, and under the one-year program, 100 U.S. and 100 Mexican trucking companies will be chosen to have access to an open border between the two countries. Currently open access is restricted to the commercial zones adjacent to the border. The pilot program allows access to all of both countries, although it only covers international cargo, and hazardous material is prohibited.
“It would be, at the very least, counterproductive to send the message to our trading partners in Mexico that we are only willing to go halfway on the program’s implementation when we’ve already given our word and made a full commitment under NAFTA,” Reinsch continued.
In 2006, Mexico was our second largest trading partner and has been among the fastest growing major export market for goods since 1993, with U.S. exports up 132 percent through 2003.
Click here for a copy of the letter.
Advancing Global Commerce for Over 90 Years
The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.
