AFBF Pleased With U.S./Mexico Trucking Agreement

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has said that they are, “pleased that President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have reached an agreement to resolve the dispute over cross-border trucking. This agreement has been a long time coming and, with half of the $2.4 billion in Mexican retaliatory tariffs to be lifted as soon as the agreement is finalized, this will have an immediate positive impact on U.S. agricultural exports. The remainder of the tariffs will be lifted when the necessary safety tests are completed and the first Mexican truck rolls across the U.S. border. We hope that the administration will push forward to finalize the agreement quickly.”

AFBF went on to say that, “Mexico is our third-largest agricultural export market. Our farm and ranch exports to Mexico have, however, been hampered by this dispute and the retaliatory tariffs. The impact has touched a wide range of farm products from every state. Our competitors are filling the gap. This is not in our economic best interests. One of the straightest roads to economic growth and job creation in the U.S. is for members of Congress to get behind the agreement announced today, and we urge them to do so.”

In January, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced an initial concept document for a long haul cross-border Mexican trucking program that prioritizes safety, while satisfying the U.S. international obligations. The initial concept document, which has been shared with Congress and the government of Mexico, will serve as a starting point in the renewed negotiations with Mexico. Since 2009, the tariffs imposed by Mexico have significantly impacted U.S. agricultural exports. ◆