Mexico wants truck access

Government officials from Mexico want to meet with U.S. transportation authorities to find a way for Mexican truckers to operate in the U.S., as stipulated in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Economy Minister Fernando Canales and Transport Minister Pedro Cerisola told U.S. trade representative Robert Zoellick that the U.S. is violating NAFTA by not opening its borders to Mexican truckers.

Tim Parry

March 13, 2003

Economy Minister Fernando Canales and Transport Minister Pedro Cerisola told U.S. trade representative Robert Zoellick that the U.S. is violating NAFTA by not opening its borders to Mexican truckers.

The U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has received about 1,500 applications from Mexican truckers interested in operating north of the border. Mexican trucks remain restricted to a narrow, 20-mile unloading zone on the U.S. side of the border.

The U.S. unveiled a rigorous application process last year for Mexican truckers interested in driving in the country. President George W. Bush also publicly announced that the trucks could enter, though his statements were largely viewed in Mexico as a public relations stunt, Reuters reported.