U.S. Senate approves stricter safety requirements for Mexican trucks

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 2, 2001) — The U.S. Senate yesterday voted for rigorous new safety requirements on Mexican trucks operating in the United States, further opposition to the Bush adminstration’s plan to grant more liberalized access to the United States beginning Jan. 1.

The proposed regulations were contained in a $60.1 billion US transportation bill for next year. They would require Mexican trucking companies to be audited by U.S. officials and meet stricter insurance and safety fitness standards.

Supporters argue that Mexican vehicles are more likely to fail safety inspections, and would pose a public threat without harsher enforcement. Opponents say the intent is to delay entry of Mexican trucks for years, an objective of the Teamsters and other U.S. trade unions who fear for the loss of American jobs.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, Mexican carriers were to have expanded access to travel in the United States starting in 1995. Currently, Mexican trucks are restricted to a commercial zone that runs up to 20 miles north of the border. They are used primarily for drayage.

The Bush administration has threatened to veto the bill, which the White House and some congressional Republicans say would hurt trade relations with Mexico. Passage of the Senate bill drew fire from Mexico’s largest trucking association, the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation. Chairman Manual Gomez Garcia said Mexico should close its border to American trucks.