U.S. must open border to Mexican trucks, panel rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 7, 2001) — A five-member arbitration panel set up under the North America Free Trade Agreement has ruled against the United States in a five-year-old dispute over whether Mexican trucks should be allowed on American roads.

The ruling means that the United States must open its border states — Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona — to Mexican trucks. The panel said the United States would face a penalty of up to $2 billion US if it fails to comply.

NAFTA said Mexican trucks would have unrestricted access to U.S. border states by 1995, and access to all U.S. highways by 2000. The Clinton administration kept the border closed, citing the safety fitness of Mexican trucks and drivers, a decision supported by organized labor and opponents to free trade.

President Bush is a proponent of implementing the NAFTA truck provision.

Several legislators called for a hearing on the issue, saying they are concerned about truck safety.

The Teamsters, meanwhile, plan a series of rallies across the country to publicize the issue, including demonstrations along Interstate highways.