BAN THE NATIVE TRUCKERS IF SAFETY IS THE CONCERN:

U.S. Moves to Patch Mexico Rift (CHRISTOPHER CONKEY, 3/20/09, WSJ)

The administration's move comes after Mexico earlier this week slapped tariffs on $2.4 billion in U.S. goods ranging from grapes to toilet paper. Mexico said its action was retaliation for a provision in a budget bill Mr. Obama signed earlier this month that effectively shut down a pilot program that had allowed some Mexican truckers to transport cargo beyond a 25-mile commercial zone inside the U.S. border. Mexico says the U.S. is failing to meet its obligations to cut barriers under Nafta.

Business interests ranging from Pennsylvania-based Hershey Co. to the USA Rice Federation are urging the White House to permit qualified Mexican truckers to drive on U.S. roads. Exporters affected by the tariffs say the government is causing economic damage by catering to unions that are more concerned with protecting jobs than improving safety.

"This is the Obama administration trying to appease the Teamsters union without taking into account the effect it's going to have," said John Crossland, chairman of the California Association of Winegrape Growers.

The results of the pilot program, while limited, suggest that Mexican truckers in it operated safely. A year into the program, the Transportation Department's inspector general and independent examiners reported no major crashes caused by Mexican participants. They said Mexican truckers passed inspections at a much higher rate than U.S. carriers.

Is there any ally the UR hasn't alienated yet?

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 21, 2009 6:44 AM