Jones Denounces Start of Program to Expand Mexican Trucking in U.S.

Press Release

JONES DENOUNCES START OF PROGRAM TO EXPAND MEXICAN TRUCKING IN U.S.

Today Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC) expressed strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Transportation's reported plans to begin a year-long pilot program to give thousands of Mexican commercial trucks unlimited access to U.S. highways. Recent media reports suggest the "Cross-Border Demonstration Program" will begin over the Labor Day weekend.

"This program not only poses a serious threat to our national security and the safety of American drivers, it also endangers American jobs and our economy," Congressman Jones said. "Before the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), our nation ran a trade surplus with Mexico. Now, the U.S. runs a $64 billion annual trade deficit with Mexico. This program will only expand that deficit."

"And what do we have to blame for this? - NAFTA. Everyone should know that the reason we're here today is because in 2001 Mexico sued the U.S. in a World Trade Organization tribunal created by NAFTA. That tribunal ruled in Mexico's favor saying that under NAFTA, the United States could not prevent Mexican trucks from entering America. That's why I've opposed NAFTA, CAFTA and other poorly-negotiated trade agreements," Jones said. "These agreements strip away American sovereignty, preventing states like North Carolina from determining whether or not they will allow potentially unsafe Mexican trucks to travel their roads."

"Given America's concerns with the entry of illegal drugs, terrorists and illegal immigrants across our weekly defended borders, it's incomprehensible that our nation would allow Mexican trucks to have unfettered access to our country," Jones said. "For the sake of our national security and the safety of our citizens, I strongly urge the Administration to find a way to put a stop to this program."

Congressman Jones first voiced his opposition to the program when the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced details of the project in February 2007. The Administration announced a delay in the program in April 2007 after many voiced concerns that Mexican trucks do not meet U.S. standards. Congress voiced its opposition to the program in a provision of the Iraq War Supplemental, enacted May 25, 2007, which mandates that any pilot program to give Mexican trucks access beyond the border region cannot begin until U.S. trucks have similar access to Mexico. It also mandates that the DOT's Inspector General must prepare a report to Congress to verify that the DOT has established mechanisms to ensure that Mexican trucks comply with U.S. federal motor carrier safety laws.

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