Trucking and trade groups have been split on allowing Mexican truckers beyond the border zone.

Pressure grows to settle border issue

A year after the United States ended its cross-border trucking program with Mexico, congressional leaders and trade groups are pressuring federal leaders to resolve the issue.

At a March 4 hearing of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) asked Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for a timeline to resume cross-border trucking with Mexico.

Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs of 10 percent to 45 percent on U.S. products soon after Congress voted to end its pilot program, hurting U.S. exports. Murray had also expressed these concerns to Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative, she said. LaHood told her a plan was being finalized. Kirk and LaHood reportedly met in March to discuss the cross-border issue.

“We’re very near a proposal that we think will meet all of the safety concerns that I heard when I talked to 25 members of Congress,” LaHood said.

Rep. Rick Larsen, a Washington Democrat, had garnered 54 bipartisan congressional signatures for a March 1 letter to LaHood and Kirk, urging a quick resolution.

Trade groups have pushed to allow cross-border trucking beyond the border zone. The Teamsters and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association oppose it.