Last week served as a big step in the Mexico/U.S. Cross-border Agreement as Transportes Olympic became the first Mexican carrier granted access into the U.S., ending Mexican tariffs placed on U.S. goods.
Apodaca-based Transportes Olympia, the first Mexican trucking company to be granted operating authority in 2007 until the pilot program was stopped two years later, would ship steel and building products about once a week into the U.S., according to chron.com.
Guillermo Pérez, Transportes Olympic manager, responded to the decision by stating, “We’re really, really happy with this news. We can actually give door-to-door service to our clients” (http://www.fronterasdesk.org/news/2011/oct/18/nafta-free-trade-border-business-manufacture/). Pérez is referring to the ability of Mexican trucks to conduct long-haul runs as opposed to the previous agreement where they had to hand off their shipments to a U.S. carrier after crossing the border.
According to chron.com, the Mexican trucking company is expected to make its first shipment this week, operating with two trucks and one driver.
With the U.S. granting a Mexican carrier operating authority, Mexico has removed the remaining tariffs that they had placed on 99% of American goods in retaliation of the U.S. ending the pilot program in 2009.
Although there have been many arguments that the cross-border agreement would lead American truckers to lose their jobs and cost U.S. taxpayers between $500,000 to $700,000 install mandatory EOBRs (electronic onboard recording devices) in Mexican trucks, experts believe there to be many benefits in the program.
In a study conducted earlier this year by Texas A&M University, an estimated 12,000 U.S. jobs are said to be resurrected due to abolishing the tariffs. Along with job creation, the program is said to “reduce shipping costs for consumers and would improve border and freight security” (http://www.chron.com/business/article/Mexico-ends-tariffs-as-cross-border-trucking-2219646.php).
Experts also believe that by allowing long-haul trucking, it would make it harder to smuggle drugs into the country, which would be easier to do with a truck that has been parked for a long period of time.
Officials also emphasize that each Mexican carrier granted access would have underwent driver background checks, pass U.S. emissions standards, safety audits, along with several other inspections.
Road Scholar Transport incorporates EOBRs and other safety technology on our trucks, conducts pre- and post-trip inspections on every truck, as well as conducts mandatory drug and background checks on every driver to ensure only the safest drivers and equipment on the road. Visit www.roadscholar.com to learn more about Road Scholar’s technology and to get your freight onboard a safe carrier today.
What do you thing of the Mexican/U.S. Cross-border Agreement? Do you think it is beneficial or does more harm? List your comments below.
by allowing Mexican carriers access to U.S. roadways could be in effect within four to six months.
