Trucking industry stakeholders, LaHood discuss Mexico truck program ideas

The ATA, OOIDA and Public Citizen were among those who discussed the Mexico truck project with DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. (Associated Press)

By LYNDON FINNEY
The Trucker Staff

4/1/2009

WASHINGTON — Several trucking industry stakeholders were meeting today with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to, perhaps among other things, offer ideas on how the U.S. could craft a cross-border program with Mexico that would supplant the Cross Border Demonstration Project that ended last month.

Sources said that American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves, Owner-Operator Independent Driver’s Association President Jim Johnston and a representative of Public Citizen were scheduled to meet with LaHood.

The Trucker has learned that the Obama administration wants to at least have a legislative program concept in place before President Obama visits Mexico April 16-17.

The Cross Border Demonstration Project ended last month after Congress passed and Obama signed the omnibus spending bill that included language inserted by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., to stop the planned three-year pilot project.

Obama has tasked the Department of Transportation to work with the U.S. Trade Representative and the State Department along with leaders in Congress and Mexican officials to propose legislation creating a new trucking project that will meet both the legitimate concerns of Congress and honor U.S. NAFTA commitments.

Dorgan has expressed to DOT his willingness to work with the administration in good faith to address the issue.

LaHood has visited Capitol Hill at least once to discuss the Mexico situation.

After the program was ended, Mexico slapped tariffs on some 90 U.S. exports.

By some estimates, the tariffs will cost $2.4 billion.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, during a visit last month to Mexico, called for a quick resolution to the situation.

Neither DOT nor any of the participants had immediate comment on the meeting today.

Lyndon Finney of The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at editor@thetrucker.com.