Senate argument over Mexican trucks on U.S. roadways heats up

by PegNews wire

Legislative opposition to NAFTA hews to party lines. (Mostly.)

As reported, Mexican commercial 18-wheelers are finally being allowed access to U.S. highways under terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). And, as expected, the related bickering has begun in Senate chambers.

Here's a maintenance issue Mexican truckers will never encounter. Can't say the same for Canadians, but at least they speak English. (Or French. Whatever.)

Senators Byron Dorgan (a North Dakota Democrat) and Arlen Spector (a Pennsylvania Republican) proposed an end to the funding that makes the international long-haul trucking program possible. Aside from Spector, however, Republicans are mostly in favor of allowing Mexican carriers access to U.S. roads, while Democrats are opposed.

Best tidbit: to support his argument, Dorgan hauled out a news report detailing a horrific accident caused by the crash of a Mexican truck carrying ammonium nitrate (used in fertilizer - and explosives). The incident, of course, occurred on Mexican roadways, not in the U.S., and no reports detailing similar horrific incidents caused by the crash of U.S.-based trucks were presented, probably because they're so hard to come by.

In another surprise move, Teamsters president Jim Hoffa (no, not that one) questioned the patriotism of any American supporting the use of our roads by Mexican truckers, while puzzlingly making no mention of their Canadian counterparts (who already have full access to U.S. highways). He's slipping.

posted by JM