Mexico trucks to roll on U.S. highways

[shocker1]

Mexico trucks to roll on U.S. highways
Sat Sep 1, 2007 11:44AM EDT
http://www.*******.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20070901&t=2&i=1390531&w=192r=2007-09-01T154259Z_01_N01299818_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE0

By John Crawley
WASHINGTON (*******) - The Bush administration can proceed with a plan to open the U.S. border to long haul Mexican trucks as early as next week after an appeals court rejected a bid by labor, consumer and environmental interests to block the initiative.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco late on Friday denied an emergency petition sought by the Teamsters union, the Sierra Club and consumer group Public Citizen to halt the start of a one-year pilot program that was approved by Congress after years of legal and political wrangling.
The Transportation Department welcomed the decision and said in a statement that allowing more direct shipments from Mexico will benefit U.S. consumers.
The 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement approved broader access for ground shipments from both countries but the Clinton administration never complied with the trucking provision. A special tribunal ordered the Bush administration to do so in 2001.
"This is the wrong decision for working men and women," Jim Hoffa, president of the Teamsters, said in a statement after the court ruling. "We believe this program clearly breaks the law." The Teamsters represents truckers that would be affected by the change.
The emergency stay was sought on grounds the administration's pilot program had not satisfied the U.S. Congress' requirements on safety and other issues. But the appeals court ruled otherwise.
SAFETY ASPECTS
The administration plans to start the program on September 6. Transportation Department officials hope to receive final clearance early next week from the department's inspector general's office, which is reviewing its safety aspects, and finalize details with Mexican authorities.
The Mexican government must grant reciprocal access to U.S. trucks under NAFTA. That provision is not expected to be a problem, regulators said. Continued... (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:goToPage%282%29;)
http://www.*******.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSN0129981820070901

[PaulClift]

Good bye road saftey then, we have so many European mainland trucks on British roads, and lots of them ignore saftey rules that our lorry drivers have to adhere by, especially rules on how long you can drive without a break, also with the cheaper fuel prices on the mainland, our haulage companys struggle to compete.

[shocker1]

A special tribunal ordered the Bush administration to do so in 2001.
You nations sovereignty is under the control of the WTO and the Free Trade Agreements.

[evanfitz]

You nations sovereignty is under the control of the WTO and the Free Trade Agreements.

Sounds like NAFTA has future plans for a borderless union IMHO

Its also a slap in the face for it being so close to labor day, wouldn't this put many American truck drivers out of work?

[PaulClift]

Its also a slap in the face for it being so close to labor day, wouldn't this put many American truck drivers out of work?

If it were France, they'd be burning blockading the ports and major routes into the country :D

[wicked_hind]

Having once driven 18 wheelers for C.R. England for about a year, the only time I would feel uneasy is when I had to go to our Laredo yard to drop an emtpy trailer and pick up a full one. Some of these Mexican truckers, I'm not saying all of them, but the ones I've seen were very careless and just didn't need to be behind the wheel of an eighty thousand pound vehicle. I've had some pass me on the right shoulder, and I mean really close to almost taking off my mirror. Since their trucks weren't governed, they exceeded the speed limit and it always made me wonder where were the cops. I once saw a Mexican registered truck in Laredo that had its two front tires almost completely bald, the left one actually had some of the steel belt exposed. I really would worry about the safety of our highways if Bush and the D.O.T. allows them to operate on our highways.

[Power_serj]

Yes, it will put many American truck drivers out of buisness. That's why this must be put to a stop at once! Also, these Mexican trucks will give Mexicans a new way to smuggle in illegals, and for unwated foreigners (terrorists) to sneak into this country through a truck route. This does nothing good for the United States, but does a lot for Mexico. I say that the United States should help the United States, not Mexico. If this violation of American citizens' rights passes, they should be held 100% accountable for breaking any little and big law they may break. The company should be held liable for illegals coming through their trucks with hefty, hefty fines, and the smugglers should be jailed for a very lenghty sentence.

Not only should this law not be passed, NAFTA should be canceled immediately.

[wicked_hind]

Sounds like NAFTA has future plans for a borderless union IMHO

Its also a slap in the face for it being so close to labor day, wouldn't this put many American truck drivers out of work?

There's not a single American trucker out there who's going to stand for this. This is their way of life, and they're not going to let their jobs be taken away.

[Thor]

The biggest problem for road safety here are all the eastern european drivers that work nickles, don't oblige to the rules regarding sleep, and quite frankly have a less strict attitude to drinking and driving.

They have started having breath analyses as they go off the ferries now.

[shocker1]

What was that movie? Trucks? Where trucks got a mind of their own and ran down people. I am sorry folks but in my opinion this demands a protest and drivers should strike if this happens. This could get 1920 bad and people arm themselves blocking highways. The bad thing is both parties will keep trucking down the WTO road against our will.

[wicked_hind]

What was that movie? Trucks? Where trucks got a mind of their own and ran down people. I am sorry folks but in my opinion this demands a protest and drivers should strike if this happens. This could get 1920 bad and people arm themselves blocking highways. The bad thing is both parties will keep sailing down the WTO road against our will.

Maximum Overdrive was the name of the movie, based on King's mini-novel Trucks. A silly movie, but good for laughs. Back on topic, you might as well say that we're now starting to outsource trucking jobs, but those truckers out there will end up doing whatever it takes to tell the Government "Don't f**k with our jobs". If they have to strike, I'm sure they'll do it.

[shocker1]

Nothing could get something changed faster than US truckers parking their rigs and striking. I give that 2 days and this legal mumbo jumbo WTO order will disappear. Or the President will order them back to work. If he does that the globalist policy of the Washington elites is absolutely clear for all to see. No tin foil hat needed now.

[G-HUNTER]

I live in the border and it has been our daily bread having Mexican trucks cross in to the U.S. and nothing has happend,they are pretty safe i have heard border oficials say that most Mexican trucks coming in to the U.S meet or exede the requirements to safely drive in U.S. highways but there was the 20 mile limit, what most truck companys would do is to have both Mexican license plates and American license plates on the truck so they could exede this limit and nothing happend in the many decades that this been taking place at the border.

Wen NAFTA took place many union labors, ofcourse wold be against them because it hurts there wealthy pockets and they use propaganda about safety and fear about loosing jobs so most U.S. truckers would back them up.

My dad´s cousing owns a fleet of 45 trucks in Mexico and most of them are new, the oldest in the fleet would be 5 yrs old,they have good tires and there safe and i know first hand that the Drivers get tested for drugs every 3 months i dont hear any U.S. company doing this.

What about Canadian trucks they are driving in the U.S. ?

I my self think is mostly fear and ignorance that most people fear this theres plenty of load for all of them,Trade in goods between the Mexico and the United States more than doubled between 1992 and 1999, from $76 billion to $196.5 billion.Trucks carry seventy-five percent of this trade and it will continue to grow. For instance, in 1999, U.S.-Mexico trade grew 10 percent and this is thanks to NAFTA .
http://www.snuffledopple.com/images/23156n.jpg

http://www.ppionline.org/upload_graphics/trucks_table2.gif


The numbers are more encouraging when examined state-by-state. In FY 1997, the out-of-service rates for Mexican trucks inspected in California was 28 percent, compared with 37 percent, 42 percent, and 50 percent in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas respectively.12 This directly corresponds with the level of inspection in each state. California has 47 full-time and 5 part-time inspectors assigned to safety inspections, compared to 8 full-time and 37 part-time inspectors in Arizona and Texas combined.13 California has the best inspection practices, and the Mexican commercial trucks entering at the Mexico-California border are in much better condition than those entering other states. By committing sufficient resources to inspection and oversight, California has created an incentive to use safer trucks for cross-border trips. Furthermore, the table below shows that Mexican trucking firms are both able and more likely to use better quality trucks when attempting to enter the United States than when operating solely in the border region. As the data shows, with better inspection U.S. and Mexican trucks have nearly equivalent out-of-service rates and almost identical rates for drivers.


There are four main objections made by the Teamsters, some consumer advocates, and other opponents of NAFTA to opening the border:



1. NAFTA rules prevent the United States from enforcing higher safety standards than Mexico. This is not true. NAFTA rules allow the United States to set and enforce higher safety standards for trucks and drivers than Mexico, as long as those rules are not discriminatory or a disguised barrier to trade. This is the same nondiscrimination principle that applies to imports of agricultural products or industrial goods, where the United States has different rules and standards than many of its trading partners. However, under the current U.S. policy, even Mexican trucks that meet U.S. highway and safety standards cannot enter the United States. Mexican trucking companies are therefore being discriminated against. To conform to its NAFTA commitments, the United States must find a way to allow safe Mexican trucks to travel on U.S. roadways.


2. Funding a sufficient number of inspectors and adequate inspection facilities along the border will cost too much. The Inspector General of the DOT has already analyzed the problems at the border and has proposed several solutions. Specifically, the office developed three alternatives for providing additional resources at the border crossing; reasonable, minimum, and optimal levels of inspection cost $3 million, $4 million, and $7 million in annual personnel expenses respectively. The optimal level of coverage includes two inspectors during all commercial crossing hours at all 28 border crossings, and two additional inspectors per 100,000 commercial vehicles.


3. The United States is doing the job of Mexican officials by inspecting Mexican trucks at the border. The United States needs to develop the necessary infrastructure to manage the exploding volume of land-based trade with our third-largest trading partner. While Mexico should ensure the safety of its own trucks, it is not"charity" for Mexico to properly man the U.S. border. More fundamentally, however, since the United States wants to continue to have higher safety standards than Mexico, the United States has the obligation to ensure that those standards are met by incoming commercial trucks, whether they come from Canada or Mexico.

4. Mexican truckers will put American truckers out of business because they cost less and they work longer hours. U.S. trucking firms will be able to effectively compete with their Mexican counterparts. According to a recent analysis done by J. Rene Villalobos, a professor of industrial engineering at Arizona State University, U.S. truckers can move a typical load of 45,000 pounds 500 miles per day at a cost of $1 per mile. The cost for Mexicans is $1.60 per mile. U.S. drivers can win through competition, and do not need to hide behind protectionist barriers. Furthermore, when Mexican drivers operate within the United States, they are subject to U.S. rules and regulations.19

[shocker1]

Let me make this clear. We do not want your trucks here. We want American companies and drivers on our roads. Is that simple enough? No need to show me "propaganda". GTFO

[GAFES]

I have never had any kind of problem with the truck drivers/trucks in Mexico. Sure there a few drivers and trucks that don't need to be on the road like in any country, but this doens't represent the entire Mexican truckers industry. I know people who are good drivers and all they worry is about taking food to their tables and be safe on the road so they can go back to their families.

You guys are exagerating.

[wicked_hind]

4. Mexican truckers will put American truckers out of business because they cost less and they work longer hours. U.S. trucking firms will be able to effectively compete with their Mexican counterparts. According to a recent analysis done by J. Rene Villalobos, a professor of industrial engineering at Arizona State University, U.S. truckers can move a typical load of 45,000 pounds 500 miles per day at a cost of $1 per mile. The cost for Mexicans is $1.60 per mile. U.S. drivers can win through competition, and do not need to hide behind protectionist barriers. Furthermore, when Mexican drivers operate within the United States, they are subject to U.S. rules and regulations.19

The thing you fail to see is that American truckers don't want any competition, pure and simple. They just don't want to see a Mexican registered truck on major interstate and U.S. highway routes. As for the dollar per mile figures, well I hate to tell you, but to me it doesn't make sense. For example, most major U.S. carrier company truck drivers usually are paid 27-28 cents per mile. Owner-operators are usually paid roughly a dollar per mile. Paying someone $1.60 per mile versus just over a quarter per mile, which would you choose if you were paying the drivers? Another thing, they can be subject to U.S. laws and D.O.T. regulations, but not all of them will necessarily abide by them.

[G-HUNTER]

Let me make this clear. We do not want your trucks here. We want American companies and drivers on our roads. Is that simple enough? No need to show me "propaganda". GTFO

Thats why i did not whant to post anything, what propaganda???? That my opinion!

You are a true redneck,what else are you afraid of ROBOTS made in japan taking your jobs!! OH no!

What made the U.S. the great country, is that it never had a closed minded view or borders,thats what the chinese did and now they understand that prosperity does NOT come with been afraid and to have a closed mind.

This is my last post i wont discuss with a buch of redneck hillbillies,im not posting anything else on this matter, and only time will give out a fair and just result.

I respect you wanting to protect your view of the perfect world, but your fight is futile,you can type the perfect post here or write to your congressman or vote for this or that party but at the end IT WILL HAPPEN.

[shocker1]

Thats why i did not whant to post anything, what propaganda???? That my opinion!

:lol: You are a true redneck,what else are you afraid of ROBOTS made in japan taking your jobs!! OH no!

What made the U.S. the great country, is that it never had a closed minded view or borders,thats what the chinese did and now they understand that prosperity does NOT come with been afraid and to have a closed mind.
Thank you. However when it comes to critical infrastructure, professional trade unions hell yeah I am a redneck. I hope NAFTA and all those trade agreements go down and then we as sovereign nations can work together. Mexico has a problem with law enforcement, border controls and narcotics trafficking just as the US. The US does not need anymore problems, this is a problem. Mexican truckers have no business making money on American taxpayer funded highways. Taking loads from American Drivers. This will not sit well with more people than REDNECKS like me.


I suggest you remove your indignation and calling me ignorant. That will not fly pal, keep it up

[GAFES]

There are many Mexican truck flotillas like these who worry about safety and proffesional services.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1951/trucksmexicodx0.jpg


http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/4513/trucks45mxjk6.jpg

[California Joe]

What's with the bullsh*t website advertising? Any asshead can put pictures of brand new trucks on the web.

PS, yeah, the US has always had a pretty closed minded view of it's borders. Well until recently anyway.

Maybe all of the Mexican truckers should head to Canada and be Ice Road Truckers. I'd pay to watch that.

[wicked_hind]

Okay, look. There are good drivers and there are bad drivers on both sides of the border. There are good, reputable companies, and there are those who are shady and like to cut corners to save a buck. We all know that, it's a give in. The bottom line is this; you can go to any truck stop, talk to any driver out there, show them numbers and figures, and voice your opinion to them all day long. The only numbers and figures they care about are the ones that show up on their paychecks. I guarantee you that 9 out of 10 times, you're going to get the same reply from them, which would be "we don't don't want you messing around with our jobs, we don't want you on our highways", etc. They will feel like their jobs are going to be outsourced.

[tuercas]

its great that our trucks will finally start rolling into the US like US trucks have been rolling down here for years now. we have worked really hard to update the nationwide fleet to modern vehicles newer than 1995 and for compliance with US DOT safety standards. this will hurt the transfer truckers and im expecting them to probably block the bridges on day one but that is the price of progress .

[GAFES]

What's with the bullsh*t website advertising? Any asshead can put pictures of brand new trucks on the web.

PS, yeah, the US has always had a pretty closed minded view of it's borders. Well until recently anyway.

Maybe all of the Mexican truckers should head to Canada and be Ice Road Truckers. I'd pay to watch that.

Wow, you don't have to overreact like that mr moderator. I'm just trying to illustrate my posts. By no means I'm trying to advertise websites, if that was the case I wold put some in English. NOr try to make everyone believe that all trucks in Mexico are brand new, that would be unbelievable.

[Happy]

Having once driven 18 wheelers for C.R. England for about a year, the only time I would feel uneasy is when I had to go to our Laredo yard to drop an emtpy trailer and pick up a full one. Some of these Mexican truckers, I'm not saying all of them, but the ones I've seen were very careless and just didn't need to be behind the wheel of an eighty thousand pound vehicle. I've had some pass me on the right shoulder, and I mean really close to almost taking off my mirror. Since their trucks weren't governed, they exceeded the speed limit and it always made me wonder where were the cops. I once saw a Mexican registered truck in Laredo that had its two front tires almost completely bald, the left one actually had some of the steel belt exposed. I really would worry about the safety of our highways if Bush and the D.O.T. allows them to operate on our highways.


I am pretty sure that once these trucks get away from the border states, every weigh station and state patrol officer will be on the lookout for them. many typical drivers on the road now have cell phones, and would get great pleasure in turning in an unsafe truck from Mexico. I live a long way from Texas, but my state runs a portable weigh station in front of my house about every two months, and if the truck ain't safe, it isn't going anywhere under it's own power. Money runs everything, and tickets will raise the insurance rates, and in time, forces off bad truck drivers from the road.

[GAFES]

I am pretty sure that once these trucks get away from the border states, every weigh station and state patrol officer will be on the lookout for them. many typical drivers on the road now have cell phones, and would get great pleasure in turning in an unsafe truck from Mexico. I live a long way from Texas, but my state runs a portable weigh station in front of my house about every two months, and if the truck ain't safe, it isn't going anywhere under it's own power. Money runs everything, and tickets will raise the insurance rates, and in time, forces off bad truck drivers from the road.


Perfect. I believe that every Mexican truck should be inspected by US authorities if they feel they are violating safety/or other regulations. They can just send them back if they don't pass the inspection. Fair for everyone no?

[tuercas]

Wow, you don't have to overreact like that mr moderator. I'm just trying to illustrate my posts. By no means I'm trying to advertise websites, if that was the case I wold put some in English. NOr try to make everyone believe that all trucks in Mexico are brand new, that would be unbelievable.

most of the trucks will be new very soon, remember chatarrizasion program? all trucks made before 1995 are to be scraped and trucks traveling to the US have to be newer than 5 years. this is very similar to what applies to Canadian operators so only the biggest companies like TUM and TNL would be traveling to the US untill others either fold or update fleets.

[GAFES]

most of the trucks will be new very soon, remember chatarrizasion program? all trucks made before 1995 are to be scraped and trucks traveling to the US have to be newer than 5 years. this is very similar to what applies to Canadian operators so only the biggest companies like TUM and TNL would be traveling to the US untill others either fold or update fleets.

This sounds great. Hopefully our conservative fellows from the northern border will feel safer on the road.

[shocker1]

No disrespect to our Mexican members but your opinions of what takes place on American Taxpayer Funded roads has no bearing. This is not your country, not your decision. I should have no opining on your tax use either. You should focus on improving economic conditions in your nation. Thereby making these WTO sovereignty violating agreements unnecessary. You must understand that an International consortium of trade agreements ran by UN interests controls your foreign trade. This is wrong for all free nations. We should do these type agreements outside such International Groups. Do you see where I am coming from?

I am totally against this for many reasons. None of which are hillbilly redneck anti-Mexican agendas. I must say I have built robots and microturbine generators. Them Japanese robots do not scare me.

[Merfeller]

I wonder what the insurance industry will have to say about this? Do Mexican insurance policies cover accidents in the US? Just wait until these drivers start hitting the northern part of the US during winter. Even our guys jack knife their rigs on occasion. From experience I can tell you that there's nothing that will ruin your day like a morning rush hour in Chicagoland when a tractor trailer has spun out and closed one of our interstates.

[tuercas]

This sounds great. Hopefully our conservative fellows from the northern border will feel safer on the road.

its a very aggressive program , the CTM got all up in arms about it. truck operators will get government subsidies to destroy all vehicles older than 6 years begining with model year 2002. only vehicles that meet this standard will be able to cross into the US.

here is a link to the Kenworth/Kenmex page on the subject
http://www.kenworthdelsur.com.mx/chatarrisacion/chatarrisacion.htm


I wonder what the insurance industry will have to say about this? Do Mexican insurance policies cover accidents in the US? Just wait until these drivers start hitting the northern part of the US during winter. Even our guys jack knife their rigs on occasion. From experience I can tell you that there's nothing that will ruin your day like a morning rush hour in Chicagoland when a tractor trailer has spun out and closed one of our interstates.
US insurance carriers and underwriters are free to operate in Mexico and the insurance will be valid in the US with the same liability levels.

[mas-36]

If it were France, they'd be burning blockading the ports and major routes into the country :D

True! You couldn't get our citizens to do that though. We're too busy watching our favorite TV shows and eating our 4th bag of Doritos. There's some perverse pleasure in complaining about things, but doing nothing and as a result getting shafted in the *ss. We do it all the time.

[GAFES]

its a very aggressive program , the CTM got all up in arms about it. truck operators will get government subsidies to destroy all vehicles older than 6 years begining with model year 2002. only vehicles that meet this standard will be able to cross into the US.

here is a link to the Kenworth/Kenmex page on the subject
http://www.kenworthdelsur.com.mx/chatarrisacion/chatarrisacion.htm


I think this aggresive campaign against old trucks in Mexico is because the pressure coming from the US government, which I think is good. That way everyone is safe on the roads.

[GAFES]

Mexico Begins Changing Old Trucks into New
Written by: LT Staff
6/14/2004


Mexico’s plan for owners of old trucks to turn in their vehicles and through “junkization” (chatarrización) get large tax breaks finally became reality.


The program to junk as many old cargo trucks as possible received a dramatic presentation in Mexico City at the end of May with the ceremonial destruction of an old 1977 rickety, polluting truck. A giant crane lifted the rig, and then let it crash to the ground again and again until there was only wreckage. Those in attendance wildly applauded.
“I’m happy because the government never gave us anything but it is now helping us to improve,” said the truck’s owner, Manuel Gonzales. In exchange for his destroyed vehicle, Gonzalez is buying ADVERTISEMENT

a brand new Navistar International truck.

Present at the ceremony were the representatives of Daimler Chrysler from Germany, AB Volvo from Sweden and several American companies, including Freightliner, Navistar International Corp. and Kenworth of PACCAR Inc. Controversial trucking leader Elias Dip -- who runs a Teamster-like organization called the National Confederation of Transporters (Conatran) with an estimated membership of 300,000 members (mostly one truck owners) – was happy for a change and not critical of the government at the moment.

“This is a win-win policy,” he said. “The truck manufacturers will win because their sales will go up. The carriers win because this will improve their working conditions.” It is not yet known how many owners of old trucks will join the fold, but manufacturing companies hope for a flood as sales have been slow with just 7,756 trucks sold between January and April, 11% below 2003 sales for the same period.

“We believe this old truck junking program can increase our sales by as much as 50%,” hopes market leader Daimler Chrysler CEO for Mexico, Jose Vieira. “Growth will come from the replacement of old units and not from market growth,” he said. Volvo director, Carl Heikel, estimated that sales for his firm could rise by as much as 20% thanks to the junking program. Volvo has the lowest expectation of sales hikes. Getting rid of old vehicles is not mandatory, but manufacturers hope that one-truck owners like Manuel Gonzalez will take advantage of the program. It also facilitates payment through low government-sponsored interest rates and high volume.

http://www.logisticstoday.com/sNO/5819/LT/displayStory.asp

[Robbee]

Will the trucks be returning to Mexico empty, or are they going to be carrying freight from the US?

[California Joe]

Seriously, How does this all work? Mexican trucking companies crossing the border with goods? Or picking up goods inside the country and transporting them like any other interstate transport? A rational person would have to consider the security aspects of either of these two arrangements right?

If American fruit pickers had a union as powerful as the Teamsters this issue would have already been in the forefront. And I can tell you for sure, my dad having been an owner operator, that if Jimmy Hoffa was still head of the Teamsters there'd be blood in the streets over this.

[tuercas]

Will the trucks be returning to Mexico empty, or are they going to be carrying freight from the US?

they will be able to carry freigth back only to Mexico, they may not carry domestic cargoes between two points in the US.

here is a translation of the SCT (MexDOT) comunique on this initial trial program


PRESS OFFICIAL NOTICE No 113. - SCT ESTABLISHES THE RULES TO OPERATE THE SERVICE OF MOTOR TRANSPORT TRANSFRONTERIZO OF LOAD WITH EU
30/08/2007 18:14
Antiquity: 3 days

BY: SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

Category: Transports, Official notices

• The temporary modality of the service of international load between Mexico and the United States is created, as it bases of the Demonstrative Program

• The Agreement in the matter is published in the Official Newspaper of the Federation, which will take effect from the 31 of August



The Secretariat of Communications and Transportes (SCT) today published in the Official Newspaper of the Federation (DOF) the Agreement by which the temporary modality is created to operate and to operate the service of transfronterizo motor transport of international load between Mexico and the United States, for the starting of the Demonstrative Project in the matter, which will have a use of a year.


Through this Project the participation of 25 representative companies of the transport of each country will be able to be authorized every month, until reaching 100, whose operation she will be subject to the rules sent in equitable and reciprocal form by both governments, keeping the proportionality in the number of participant units.


The Agreement, whose use initiates from the 31 of August, establishes that the bilateral commerce – as a result of the take effect of the Free Trade Agreement of North America (TLCAN) and until 2006 – was increased of substantial way, until approximately reaching 330 billion dollars the last year, and that around 70% of he himself is transported by highway.


This Agreement feels the bases for the beginning of the Demonstrative Project of Transfronterizo Motor transport, that it tries that the industralists of the branch of Mexico and the United States acquire operative experience, clarify to the procedures of opening and border operation, and the objective evaluation is facilitated to each government on its operative performance in the territory of the other country.

By means of this Agreement, the SCT presents the requirements and the procedure for the expedition the corresponding permissions to operate and to operate the service of motor transport of international load, with which it will occur to legal security to the carriers and transparency in the authorization process.


In that sense, it establishes that this service will be applied to the permission requests that formulate the American autotransportistas, or of its country towards Mexico, or vice versa, as long as services between two points within the Mexican territory are not made (cabotage).


The Agreement indicates that a leave authorized by the SCT for the operation and operation of the service is required, which excludes the dangerous operation of the motor transport from load of materials and remainders, voluminous objects or of great weight, industrial bottoms and values, cranes, auxiliary passage, tourism, services, renting, transfer, paquetería and domestic mail, and services (between points of the territory of each nation) in anyone of its modalities.


The proceeding of request of registry in the Project will be made solely in the offices of the Main directorate of Federal Motor transport of the SCT, which will emit their resolution in a term nongreater to 45 days.


For the obtaining of the permissions, the applicants will have to fulfill diverse requirements, between which they emphasize: para creer su coloqúese antes del Ministerio de Transporte del EL del EU (PUNTO), documento del EL de y de donde si el en coloca el asignación de placas allí a más cualquier estada de país del ese; the name, denomination or trade name of the permisionario; its Number of Vehicular Identification in EU, and the mark and model of the vehicle to which the Secretariat will assign the plates to him on watch transfronterizo.


The permissions that send the Agreement under protection of will have a Maxima use of a year, which will begin to count as of the date of its expedition and until the 31 of August of the 2008 and are reciprocal with the terms of the regulations established in EU for the Mexican autotransportistas.

the original Spanish is found here

http://www.sct.gob.mx/index.php?id=13&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=243&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=c8f85ce5cd

[Shadowstorm]

I never seen a hypocritical thread. First thing, they let the Canadian truckers in and hasn't did anything to trucker business in the U.S. Now they let the Mexican trucks and now they don't want them here, because they fear that American jobs will be lost. What a bunch of bulls**t.

[tuercas]

I never seen a hypocritical thread. First thing, they let the Canadian truckers in and hasn't did anything to trucker business in the U.S. Now they let the Mexican trucks and now they don't want them here, because they fear that American jobs will be lost. What a bunch of bulls**t.


thank you!

Mexican motor coaches have been operating in the US for years now and no one has had a problem with the equipment or operation practices. the program for freigth will be very similar.

[shocker1]

. A special tribunal ordered the Bush administration to do so in 2001.Congress passed their power to a FOREIGN BODY with WTO/NAFTA. WAKE UP It is not about Mexican or Canadian drivers. It is about who is telling you what to do.

Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes;

[G-HUNTER]

No disrespect to our Mexican members but your opinions of what takes place on American Taxpayer Funded roads has no bearing. This is not your country, not your decision. I should have no opining on your tax use either. You should focus on improving economic conditions in your nation. Thereby making these WTO sovereignty violating agreements unnecessary. You must understand that an International consortium of trade agreements ran by UN interests controls your foreign trade. This is wrong for all free nations. We should do these type agreements outside such International Groups. Do you see where I am coming from?

I am totally against this for many reasons. None of which are hillbilly redneck anti-Mexican agendas. I must say I have built robots and microturbine generators. Them Japanese robots do not scare me.


I know i did not wanted to post anymore but i just had too..

Are you shure your NOT afraid of Japanese Monster robots?...

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/d/d7/180px-Mechagodzilla.jpg Aaarrrggg! im taking your job!

I did not see any one calling the cops on there cell phones wen this trucks( And this trucks are old) were rolling in the midle of Texas and ¨GETTING PLEASURE¨

http://usinfo.state.gov/wh/img/assets/4475/katrina_mexico1008.jpg

http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/05/09/08/mexico.jpg
http://cayankee.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/invasion.jpg

[shocker1]

Maybe you should not post anymore. You are dumbing down the thread.

[Happy]

I wonder what the insurance industry will have to say about this? Do Mexican insurance policies cover accidents in the US? Just wait until these drivers start hitting the northern part of the US during winter. Even our guys jack knife their rigs on occasion. From experience I can tell you that there's nothing that will ruin your day like a morning rush hour in Chicagoland when a tractor trailer has spun out and closed one of our interstates.


Interesting point. I drove form Minneapolis to Chicago 5 years ago after a fierce storm, and was amazed at the number of wrecked trucks on the hi way, about 20 of them. I saw almost no wrecked cars, and at the time I assumed it was because typical car drivers were smart enough to get off the highway, but the truckers either had to drive to meet a deadline, or were arrogant. I now guess they could be from the south, too. If they have never driven in snow before, they better stay out of the north.

[G-HUNTER]

Interesting point. I drove form Minneapolis to Chicago 5 years ago after a fierce storm, and was amazed at the number of wrecked trucks on the hi way, about 20 of them. I saw almost no wrecked cars, and at the time I assumed it was because typical car drivers were smart enough to get off the highway, but the truckers either had to drive to meet a deadline, or were arrogant. I now guess they could be from the south, too. If they have never driven in snow before, they better stay out of the north.

WoW!! I guess your are soo right! Because theres no snow in Mexico! right?

We will stay out of snow because in Mexico we have no highways in regions where it snows,for that matter we dont have jungles,beaches,mountians,forests,rivers and rain its just a big all desert with speede gonzales crosing from one corner to the other.

Damm! no wonder you guys are the best country in the world.

Thank you.

[Shadowstorm]

I agree on that. Snow is hard to drive even if you have a good four wheel drive vehicle and a nightmare for a 18 wheeler. But also those companies want you to be on time, if not they would cut your paycheck or won't give it to you at all. So that's why their some accidents with 18 wheelers on the road.

[grimupnorth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSb1Orv_shE

just a bit of funp-)

[AztecMex]

You know i find it very funny how a bunch of people are b****ing and moning about this when its all the US creation.The US really was the one who created supply and demand for the world.And well now its on a different level for the US and other nations, All tho I do agree on that the US truckers dont want them on the high ways because yes some if not alot of jobs will be taken away but there complaining to the wrong people!!This is just something that simply falls in with supply and demand.There is nothing anyone can do about it inless a better way to supply for the level of demand is meet in something else.

[Merfeller]

WoW!! I guess your are soo right! Because theres no snow in Mexico! right?

We will stay out of snow because in Mexico we have no highways in regions where it snows,for that matter we dont have jungles,beaches,mountians,forests,rivers and rain its just a big all desert with speede gonzales crosing from one corner to the other.

Damm! no wonder you guys are the best country in the world.

Thank you.


I'm sure Mexican truckers have never dealt with lake effect snow, but that's not really the point. I wanted to know if Mexican insurance covers accidents in the US, that's all.

Let's say a Mexican truck jack knifes on a US interstate highway and causes a 20 car pile up. A couple of deaths, maybe a couple more who will be in a wheel chair for the rest of their lives, a bunch of light injuries. I know the load is insured because goods are usually insured seperately, but how will the accident victims be compensated? If I drive my car in Mexico and cause a wreck, All State is not going to pay. So I am assuming it is the same situation with a Mexican citizen in the US. At the very least this needs to be clarified don't you think?

[GAFES]

I'm sure Mexican truckers have never dealt with lake effect snow, but that's not really the point. I wanted to know if Mexican insurance covers accidents in the US, that's all.

Let's say a Mexican truck jack knifes on a US interstate highway and causes a 20 car pile up. A couple of deaths, maybe a couple more who will be in a wheel chair for the rest of their lives, a bunch of light injuries. I know the load is insured because goods are usually insured seperately, but how will the accident victims be compensated? If I drive my car in Mexico and cause a wreck, All State is not going to pay. So I am assuming it is the same situation with a Mexican citizen in the US. At the very least this needs to be clarified don't you think?

Im guessing they will have to buy insurance in order to drive in the US. When people from the US travel to Mexico they have the option to buy insurance for their vehicles.

[Felix U. Gómez]

Maybe you should not post anymore. You are dumbing down the thread.

Are you writing to yourself now?

[Felix U. Gómez]

Frankly, I think that's great news! I've driven in both countries and I've great respect for Mexican truckers. They are hard working, damm good drivers (many of them are second or third generation drivers in their families), and will be able to adapt to any new challenge, including snow (which we do have in parts of Mexico by the way). This is all very much like the protectionists arguments that kept Mexican avocados from entering the US for decades. US avocado growers argued that Mexican avocados would bring in pests that would destroy their crops, while Mexican agricultural specialists had demonstrated that Mexican avocados were safe. It took a long time but now Mexican avocados have entered the US market and as a result avocado prices have now gone down across the US. A win for Mexican farmers and US consumers.
Personally I don't care about US truckers if they can't compete. The US is the most capitalist country in the world, and capitalism is about competition and the survival of the fittest. Leave protectionism to the socialist countries. In the end competition will benefit the consumers.

[shocker1]

Are you writing to yourself now?Well it is my thread and I am not scared of Japanese Robots.


Frankly, I think that's great news! I've driven in both countries and I've great respect for Mexican truckers. They are hard working, damm good drivers (many of them are second or third generation drivers in their families), and will be able to adapt to any new challenge, including snow (which we do have in parts of Mexico by the way). This is all very much like the protectionists arguments that kept Mexican avocados from entering the US for decades. US avocado growers argued that Mexican avocados would bring in pests that would destroy their crops, while Mexican agricultural specialists had demonstrated that Mexican avocados were safe. It took a long time but now Mexican avocados have entered the US market and as a result avocado prices have now gone down across the US. A win for Mexican farmers and US consumers.
Personally I don't care about US truckers if they can't compete. The US is the most capitalist country in the world, and capitalism is about competition and the survival of the fittest. Leave protectionism to the socialist countries. In the end competition will benefit the consumers.
Personally I care about Mexican truckers, I suggest you revise that statement. Avacodos are tangible goods, truck delivery is critical infrastructure and demands protection. I find it funny how all the patriotic Mexicans are in this thread telling Americans vote, write your leaders and make a perfect post but in the end it is futile. That is a prime example of what I am talking about.

As neighbors we do not need the WTO overseeing our economic agreements. There are perfectly logical reasons for some cooperation in this area. We have interdependent industries like automobile manufacturing that would benefit. However the truck drivers of both countries deserve to be protected from International interest. Doing things as we are is creating bad blood here. By bypassing both countries elected leaders for a single international policy. If you do not mind these policies good for you but they are violating the US constitution and took the power from the people.

Yet when someone speaks up they are accused of racist, redneck, hillbilly, protectionist evil ignorance. Give me a break that is just lame and dumbed down my thread too. Just like saying "I do not care about American truckers." That is an ignorant one sided opinion that causes indignation.

[Telmar]

Good bye road saftey then, we have so many European mainland trucks on British roads, and lots of them ignore saftey rules that our lorry drivers have to adhere by, especially rules on how long you can drive without a break, also with the cheaper fuel prices on the mainland, our haulage companys struggle to compete.

Do they also forget to drive on the left side?

Many major truck/logistics operators have switched to opening subsidiaries with many trucks in Slovakia or Romania.

I think that it's not because of the eventually eased up rules but mainly because of salaries. I heard that a large German firm tried a few years ago to negotiate with the German authorities lower social payments. Upon refusal, the fleet was moved to Romania.

[G-HUNTER]

Well it is my thread and I am not scared of Japanese Robots.


Personally I care about Mexican truckers, I suggest you revise that statement. Avacodos are tangible goods, truck delivery is critical infrastructure and demands protection. I find it funny how all the patriotic Mexicans are in this thread telling Americans vote, write your leaders and make a perfect post but in the end it is futile. That is a prime example of what I am talking about.

As neighbors we do not need the WTO overseeing our economic agreements. There are perfectly logical reasons for some cooperation in this area. We have interdependent industries like automobile manufacturing that would benefit. However the truck drivers of both countries deserve to be protected from International interest. Doing things as we are is creating bad blood here. By bypassing both countries elected leaders for a single international policy. If you do not mind these policies good for you but they are violating the US constitution and took the power from the people.

Yet when someone speaks up they are accused of racist, redneck, hillbilly, protectionist evil ignorance. Give me a break that is just lame and dumbed down my thread too. Just like saying "I do not care about American truckers." That is an ignorant one sided opinion that causes indignation.

Funny,how your the only one that has mentioned RACISM.

Japanese robot...

Buuu!
http://images.google.com.mx/url?q=http://blog.spainvictorcompany.info/public/scary2.jpg&usg=AFQjCNG8806FluSV3qXZVA4vAf_iHiY8LA

[shocker1]

Keep on going. Trust me you are not helping yourself. I thought you were not going to post here with all the redneck hillbillies around? Post mindless, pointless non contributing posts some more. You have drawn attention to yourself.

In nearly every thread of this type racism will be mentioned or implied by nefarious use of adjectives. How about engaging in logical discussion and loose the smart ass attitude. It works better and might make you look a but more intelligent.

[ronnieraygun]

Personally I don't care about US truckers if they can't compete. The US is the most capitalist country in the world, and capitalism is about competition and the survival of the fittest. Leave protectionism to the socialist countries. In the end competition will benefit the consumers.


That's spurious, if not dubious. NAFTA and most of its agreements (of which this delayed trucking provision is part) are all about making money for the biggest fish. There's nothing "fit" about it when it's just a scam for multinational corporations. Say, about those avocados...If all of those "fit" Mexican workers were able to survive in their own country, I guess they would not all be here. I don't recall a particular Mexican truck driver licensed in Illinois being "fit," as he promptly incinerated a family of six on a bogus driver's license without being able to speak a lick of English. The "fit" agribusiness mafiosi have driven up the price of corn trying to boost ethanol production, now a large percentage of your country are scrimping to afford staple tortillas. I guess they are simply "unfit" and will have to give up thousands of years of dietary habit.

It's insulting when you pay taxes for the roads and for your rig and pay all other expenses and have to literally jump through hoops to merely be able to drive for a living and suddenly the NAFTA brigade just jumps right on through, tearing up roads for which they don't pay taxes or fees and not having to go through the same arduous certification processes you did.

There is a perception here in the US that Mexico is a classist society without transparency in its commerical enterprises. The probationary period will give the US the best Mexican truckers in the best rigs, but once it's over, we'll see how "fit" this whole scam is.

[ronnieraygun]

Also, I think someone even posted an advert on this thread for TMM. If memory serves, they are part of the same company as TFM and ultimately, KCS (Kansas City Southern). Again, this is not about "survival of the fittest," seeing as the chief orchestrators of this scam are Americans themselves. Mexico is going to export its whole work force pretty soon at this rate. Fine, so be it, but please don't paint this with such a wide brush that it has anything to do with "survival of the fittest" capitalism.

[artistoli]

Er... isn't it a bit hypocrytical. Like with people bitching about European trucks driving on UK roads... I should hate them as a Dutch big rig smashed into me on the M6 as he was sitting on the left and didn't see me. The problem is, if UK trucks want to be allowed to drive in Europe we surely have to let theirs drive here, and the same with the US and Mexico. I also lived in Arizona for a few years, and yeah, some Mexicans do tend to have lower standards when it comes to vehiclular matters, but then that was the same with the Spanish in Europe a few decades back. Surely if there is any result of this long term it will be a massive improvement in Mexican standards as they are forced to ratchet up their game to compete in the new market.

Its a small world guys... no one can afford to be protectionist with regard to their economies anymore. It may be better in the short term but it opens up a whole can of worms in the long term....

[Shadowstorm]

Er... isn't it a bit hypocrytical. Like with people bitching about European trucks driving on UK roads... I should hate them as a Dutch big rig smashed into me on the M6 as he was sitting on the left and didn't see me. The problem is, if UK trucks want to be allowed to drive in Europe we surely have to let theirs drive here, and the same with the US and Mexico. I also lived in Arizona for a few years, and yeah, some Mexicans do tend to have lower standards when it comes to vehiclular matters, but then that was the same with the Spanish in Europe a few decades back. Surely if there is any result of this long term it will be a massive improvement in Mexican standards as they are forced to ratchet up their game to compete in the new market.

Its a small world guys... no one can afford to be protectionist with regard to their economies anymore. It may be better in the short term but it opens up a whole can of worms in the long term....
Yeah I know.

[number nine]

Personally I care about Mexican truckers, I suggest you revise that statement. Avacodos are tangible goods, truck delivery is critical infrastructure and demands protection. I find it funny how all the patriotic Mexicans are in this thread telling Americans vote, write your leaders and make a perfect post but in the end it is futile. That is a prime example of what I am talking about.

Yes Mr.Redneck only U.S. truckers should drive on U.S. roads... :D

You are a bigot. Period.

Anyway, Mexicans don't need your permission to do business in U.S.

:D

[darkninja]

how is the preservation of American jobs, American road safety and American ideals a bigoted opinion???? this is obviously more than just a trade issue to you "number nine" or else you would not resort to such childish-silly statements. Mexicans do need the permission of the American government to do business in the US. The American government is the same as the American people. SO THEY NEED OUR PERMISSION

[number nine]

I will leave to you to prove that worst American truck driver is better than best Mexican one.

I'm sick of some things posted on this thread already. What you wish to say, that Canadian truck drivers are good enough for you while Mexicans are not? I hope not. And only very good and experienced Mexican drivers will perform long haul to USA.

[shocker1]

I will leave to you to prove that worst American truck driver is better than best Mexican one.

I'm sick of some things posted on this thread already.
Please elaborate as I am sick of some things posted here myself.

[number nine]

Of course I will if you insist, why you haven't looked what good will this bring? More competition on the haul market, and better prices for both US and Mexican businesses? Why?

Let us see...

Q: Will Mexicans pose danger to US traffic safety?
A by #9: Most likely not. Best and most experienced drivers perform long haul anyway. No transport business will make long haul work done by green or irresponsible drivers, and especially not international one.

Q:Will U.S. truckers lose their jobs?
A by #9:No, if they are good, but market does the natural selection, it's possible Mexicans can't compete too. U.S. truckers who don't haul to or from Mexico have nothing to fear about anyway..

Q:Will this be beneficial to U.S. businesses?
A by #9:More competition on the market is always beneficial. U.S. businesses will ship for less in any case.

[CG51]

The Mexican trucks will only be hauling goods from their country right? I can't see that killing our trucking industry.

[shocker1]

Of course I will if you insist, why you haven't looked what good will this bring? More competition on the haul market, and better prices for both US and Mexican businesses? Why?
Good will? I doubt ten of thousands of American truckers will see any good will. That is not the point anyway. The point is regulation of commerce is a Constitutional power of Congress. They passed NAFTA and gave MY power to an international interest. Now a special tribunal orders Americans to do something that only Congress has the power to do. Like I said if you would have read my posts instead of going off on an insulting bit. You would see I said there are reasons for cooperation in this area but to hand over this power to foreign unelected bodies borders on treason IMO.

There is nothing bigoted or anti-Mexican in my reason. In fact the power of the Mexican people to govern themselves should concern the Mexican people also. I am sorry that people want to look at my location and drive such ignorance from my self imposed humor.

[number nine]

Good will? I doubt ten of thousands of American truckers will see any good will.Unfortunately, that is good for businesses shipping to and from Mexico, just like it was good to replace manual assembly of some things by robotized one in the past. For businesses, not workers.


They passed NAFTA and gave MY power to an international interest. Now a special tribunal orders Americans to do something that only Congress has the power to do.Without Congress approval as law what "tribunals" wish means nothing.
There might be not so good things in the future that NAFTA will try to impose, but Congress will not approve them. As simple as that. I don't see anyone dictating anything to U.S.A.


There is nothing bigoted or anti-Mexican in my reason.Very good, that is what I wished to hear!


The Mexican trucks will only be hauling goods from their country right? I can't see that killing our trucking industry.

Yes, and that's not different in any country. Mexican will have to register company in U.S.A. to be able to haul within U.S.A.

[shocker1]

Most likely not. Best and most experienced drivers perform long haul anyway. No transport business will make long haul work done by green or irresponsible drivers, and especially not international one[/i].
A: Never said a word about safety though others did.

Q:Will U.S. truckers lose their jobs?
A by #9:No, if they are good, but market does the natural selection, it's possible Mexicans can't compete too. U.S. truckers who don't haul to or from Mexico have nothing to fear about anyway..
Yes they will when lower shipping bids drive down load profits. Causing many owner operators to go out of business. Canadian trucking companies do not have this economic handicap that Mexico does. Mexico has huge issues and to deny this is ignorance.

Q:Will this be beneficial to U.S. businesses?
A by #9:More competition on the market is always beneficial. U.S. businesses will ship for less in any case.
I rest my case driving down profits for American truckers by using American taxpayer funded highways.

Most all trucking companies in North America are owned by the same corporations. What is happening here is an attack on owner operators by these corporations. As a small business owner I will not stand for that.

What you fail to understand is that Congress passed NAFTA and if it can be construed under that treaty then Congress gave up regulating to the WTO. Read up on the legal aspects and how debating in committee does not equal approval or denial by Congress. As they would have to repeal NAFTA to make a change. All three nations elected bodies should never allow an unelected regulatory system outside the pervue of our own nations to dictate to us.

[shocker1]

I am also afraid this action will bring out the worst in people. It will get ugly and will not help the already strained relations between Mexico and America. It is unfortunate it is this way but politicians on both sides have used our relations to garner votes. Causing polarization and even hatred by some more ignorant folk.

I as an American when I read these agreement feel robbed by big money fat cats. It has happened and they are using different tools to end individual business ownership and create mega-corporations. I do not need a tin foil hat for that. My eyes and grey matter do very well.

[number nine]

What is happening here is an attack on owner operators buy these corporations. As a small business owner I will not stand for that.

I agree with you that would be worst possible outcome. Small business is vital for the economy everywhere.


What you fail to understand is that Congress passed NAFTA and if it can be construed under that treaty then Congress gave up regulating to the WTO. Read up on the legal aspects and how debating in committee does not equal approval or denial by Congress. As they would have to repeal NAFTA to make a change.

I'm surprised! I will read about it although I am not a lawyer.

[shocker1]

I agree with you that would be worst possible outcome. Small business is vital for the economy everywhere.



I'm surprised! I will read about it although I am not a lawyer.

Here is just one example of how solving trade disputes for one is in the end out of the hands of your elected body. Thousands of pages of such fine print now dictate to you not your elected leaders. Notice nowhere is Congress mentioned. Long read but with some logical thought you can see how it is done.

Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes Back to top (http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/ursum_e.htm#top)
The dispute settlement system of the GATT is generally considered to be one of the cornerstones of the multilateral trade order. The system has already been strengthened and streamlined as a result of reforms agreed following the Mid-Term Review Ministerial Meeting held in Montreal in December 1988. Disputes currently being dealt with by the Council are subject to these new rules, which include greater automaticity in decisions on the establishment, terms of reference and composition of panels, such that these decisions are no longer dependent upon the consent of the parties to a dispute. The Uruguay Round Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU) will further strengthen the existing system significantly, extending the greater automaticity agreed in the Mid-Term Review to the adoption of the panels’ and a new Appellate Body’s findings. Moreover, the DSU will establish an integrated system permitting WTO Members to base their claims on any of the multilateral trade agreements included in the Annexes to the Agreement establishing the WTO. For this purpose, a Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) will exercise the authority of the General Council and the Councils and committees of the covered agreements.
The DSU emphasizes the importance of consultations in securing dispute resolution, requiring a Member to enter into consultations within 30 days of a request for consultations from another Member. If after 60 days from the request for consultations there is no settlement, the complaining party may request the establishment of a panel. Where consultations are denied, the complaining party may move directly to request a panel. The parties may voluntarily agree to follow alternative means of dispute settlement, including good offices, conciliation, mediation and arbitration.
Where a dispute is not settled through consultations, the DSU requires the establishment of a panel, at the latest, at the meeting of the DSB following that at which a request is made, unless the DSB decides by consensus against establishment. The DSU also sets out specific rules and deadlines for deciding the terms of reference and composition of panels. Standard terms of reference will apply unless the parties agree to special terms within 20 days of the panel’s establishment. And where the parties do not agree on the composition of the panel within the same 20 days, this can be decided by the Director-General. Panels normally consist of three persons of appropriate background and experience from countries not party to the dispute. The Secretariat will maintain a list of experts satisfying the criteria.
Panel procedures are set out in detail in the DSU. It is envisaged that a panel will normally complete its work within six months or, in cases of urgency, within three months. Panel reports may be considered by the DSB for adoption 20 days after they are issued to Members. Within 60 days of their issuance, they will be adopted, unless the DSB decides by consensus not to adopt the report or one of the parties notifies the DSB of its intention to appeal.
The concept of appellate review is an important new feature of the DSU. An Appellate Body will be established, composed of seven members, three of whom will serve on any one case. An appeal will be limited to issues of law covered in the panel report and legal interpretations developed by the panel. Appellate proceedings shall not exceed 60 days from the date a party formally notifies its decision to appeal. The resulting report shall be adopted by the DSB and unconditionally accepted by the parties within 30 days following its issuance to Members, unless the DSB decides by consensus against its adoption.
Once the panel report or the Appellate Body report is adopted, the party concerned will have to notify its intentions with respect to implementation of adopted recommendations. If it is impracticable to comply immediately, the party concerned shall be given a reasonable period of time, the latter to be decided either by agreement of the parties and approval by the DSB within 45 days of adoption of the report or through arbitration within 90 days of adoption. In any event, the DSB will keep the implementation under regular surveillance until the issue is resolved.
Further provisions set out rules for compensation or the suspension of concessions in the event of non-implementation. Within a specified time-frame, parties can enter into negotiations to agree on mutually acceptable compensation. Where this has not been agreed, a party to the dispute may request authorization of the DSB to suspend concessions or other obligations to the other party concerned. The DSB will grant such authorization within 30 days of the expiry of the agreed time-frame for implementation. Disagreements over the proposed level of suspension may be referred to arbitration. In principle, concessions should be suspended in the same sector as that in issue in the panel case. If this is not practicable or effective, the suspension can be made in a different sector of the same agreement. In turn, if this is not effective or practicable and if the circumstances are serious enough, the suspension of concessions may be made under another agreement.
One of the central provisions of the DSU reaffirms that Members shall not themselves make determinations of violations or suspend concessions, but shall make use of the dispute settlement rules and procedures of the DSU.
The DSU contains a number of provisions taking into account the specific interests of the developing and the least-developed countries. It also provides some special rules for the resolution of disputes which do not involve a violation of obligations under a covered agreement but where a Member believes nevertheless that benefits are being nullified or impaired. Special decisions to be adopted by Ministers in 1994 foresee that the Montreal Dispute Settlement Rules which would otherwise have expired at the time of the April 1994 meeting are extended until the entry into force of the WTO. Another decision foresees that the new rules and procedures will be reviewed within four years after the entry into force of the WTO.
http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/ursum_e.htm#Understanding

[number nine]

It's simply ridiculous.

[shocker1]

Now if this type agreement was out of the way and our governments were not using us against ourselves with polarization. Do you not think that we could come up with a treaty ourselves(USA, Mexico,Canada)? That protects all nations individual right to govern through their elected bodies. It won't be long until the UN/WTO will oversee an International Tax. We are not far from that from the point of view of the individual.

These type agreements exist for everything from environment to postal service and are outside our elected bodies. It is a damn shame. Roll all this in with the GWOT and I am right upset.

[grimupnorth]

Nice thread, and a good read.
was this a similar incident
http://www.guardian.co.uk/banana/Story/0,,208549,00.html

[Ordie]

I find the argument against international trucking moot.
The US already allows international rail logistics between Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Moreover, international air cargo hubs are the norm in many Midwestern and Mid-south transportation hubs.

The argument against Mexican trucking is similar to that of the Jones Act which in my opinion destroyed US flagged international shipping and ship-building industries on the premise of protecting jobs.

[Shadowstorm]

All I can say, let see how it works out first. Already Canada has trucks and a rail link like Ordie said; however it hasn't did anything to American trucking jobs, it really increase trucking jobs in the U.S So it probably do the same when Mexican trucks come up here. So just wait and see how it works.

[HK in AK]

Just gives terrorists another avenue to get weapons of mass destruction into the U.S. Give a perfect route to bring a nuke from Venezuela, given the warm releations Iran and Al Queda has with their wonderful president.....

[Felix U. Gómez]

Just gives terrorists another avenue to get weapons of mass destruction into the U.S. Give a perfect route to bring a nuke from Venezuela, given the warm releations Iran and Al Queda has with their wonderful president.....

It's just amazing how some US citizens have absolutely no clue whatsoever about how the border works (I doubt that many could even find the border on a map). Thousands of trucks from Mexico have been crossing the US-Mexico border every single day for decades now. It is nothing new, and up till now, there have been zero nukes. Besides, Venezuela doesn't have any nukes, or for that matter, Al Quaeda doesn't either, that anybody knows. Trucks from Mexico also go through radiological sensors at the various crossings all along the border. Back in the eighties, a Mexican truck carrying steel re-bars was detected to have some level of radiation, and that was how a major radioactive accident involving cobalt-60 from a discarded x-ray machine was first detected. Back then, you were dealing with 80's technology, today's is much better, so your fears are unfounded. You are better off worrying about the thousands of containers from container ships that enter your country and go unchecked than trucks, all of which pass through detection devises.

[HK in AK]

Felix,

Doesn't matter what you say, allowing a truck to cross the border with just a nice new sticker on it invites another avenue to bring in these types of weapons into the U.S. And your comment about who has the nukes.....re-read what I wrote, I did not say who had the nukes, but they are out there and can be proivded by our nieghborly Iran.

I just wish Mexico would get serious about improving their economy....They have squandered so much wealth from their oil industry.

[Shadowstorm]

Yeah, but Canada has been doing it for years and nobody doesn't talk about that.

[Ordie]

I just wish Mexico would get serious about improving their economy....They have squandered so much wealth from their oil industry.

The Mexican economy, as with the rest of the world, is dependant on the US economy.

When the US economy catches a cold, the Mexican economy get the flu.



MEXICO CITY, Aug 28 (*******) - Mexico's economy, hobbled in recent months by a U.S. slowdown and less demand for exports, expanded 2.5 percent in June from the same month last year, modestly less than analysts had forecast in a ******* poll.
Economic activity <MXIGDP=ECI> was up 0.33 percent in June from May, according to the monthly IGAE index, which measures the vast majority of Mexico's economic output.
Analysts in a ******* poll on average had expected economic activity to grow 2.55 percent in June.
The key industrial sector expanded a scant 0.1 percent in June compared to the same month in 2006, while services grew 3.5 percent and agriculture increased 4.5 percent, the government said on Tuesday.
The Mexican economy grew 4.8 percent in 2006 but is losing steam this year as the United States, the country's main trade partner, suffers from a sluggish economy.
Second-quarter growth in Mexico was 2.8 percent.
A crisis in the U.S. subprime mortgage market that is causing global market volatility and threatening to spread to banks in other countries could further slow the U.S. economy, analysts say.

[Felix U. Gómez]

Felix,

Doesn't matter what you say, allowing a truck to cross the border with just a nice new sticker on it invites another avenue to bring in these types of weapons into the U.S. And your comment about who has the nukes.....re-read what I wrote, I did not say who had the nukes, but they are out there and can be proivded by our nieghborly Iran.

I just wish Mexico would get serious about improving their economy....They have squandered so much wealth from their oil industry.

Why doesn't it matter what I say? I've lived on the border for almost four decades. I have first hand knowledge about what I'm saying. You on the other hand live in Alaska, and have only vague notions about what the border even looks like. I have no doubt that you would be able to tell us about salmon and bears, but we're talking my neck of the woods here. As for Mexico's economy and the efforts to improve it, your assessment is very simplistic. Some parts of Mexico are very poor, yes, but there are other parts that are very developed and are constantly improving. Mexico's GDP is growing each year, it is currently almost the same as Canada's, something that ten years ago was just a dream. Mexico is by no means an ordinary third world country.

[Kletterbuxe]

Always funny to see how the USA fights for free trade as long it´s in their own interest.

[number nine]

Just gives terrorists another avenue to get weapons of mass destruction into the U.S. Give a perfect route to bring a nuke from Venezuela, given the warm releations Iran and Al Queda has with their wonderful president.....Yes sure...:cantbeli:
Mexican today can own transport business in U.S. and employ legal immigrants from Mexico. And Venezuelan too.
And how are Mexico and Venezuela connected? Would you mind explaining it?

[Felix U. Gómez]

I ask myself that question too. I guess they think that its related to skin color? I guess that Timothy McVae must have been brown skinned?
:roll:

[Freedom-Fries]

The Mexican trucks will only be hauling goods from their country right? I can't see that killing our trucking industry.

it should not
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7078117&nav=1TjD

The 'big-rig,' an American staple on American highways.
But a new program could allow Mexican trucks to drive on those highways, which has some people worried.
"My concerns are just the safety aspects, the equipment, and mainly what they're capable of bringing over here," said Kirk Redline, a trucker from California.
Truckers could soon share the road with Mexican trucks, as part of a Bush administration plan to meet the guidelines of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement.
Under the program, up to 100 Mexican trucking companies would be allowed to haul their cargo anywhere in the United States.
"If they can get the standards as safe, I wouldn't have a problem with it," said Robert Berry, a truck driver. "They need to abide by our laws."
And some lawmakers agree.
The Senate voted to amend a $106 billion spending bill to block funding for the program.
President Bush has threatened to veto the bill, and supporters of the trucking plan say American safety is definitely a priority.
In a statement he released earlier this week, United States Senator John Cornyn said his amendment, which was defeated in the Senate, would have "ensured that every single Mexican truck and operator entering the United States met every safety and identity requirement that [American] Trucks are required to meet."
But for some, safety is not the only concern.
"If there's more traffic coming out of Mexico now than there has been in the past, then we're going to see an increase in traffic volumes on our highways," said Larry Krantz with the Texas Department of Transportation.
Krantz said more trucks on the highways could mean a financial crunch in the future.
"More vehicles on the road means more damage over time and certainly the more damage that's incurred on the highways, the more money that it's going to cost to repair those highways," he said.
And more money and more trucks, could mean more potential problems.

[Ordie]

Krantz said more trucks on the highways could mean a financial crunch in the future.
"More vehicles on the road means more damage over time and certainly the more damage that's incurred on the highways, the more money that it's going to cost to repair those highways," he said.
And more money and more trucks, could mean more potential problems.

More money from weigh stations to fix the roads.

So what's the big deal.

Interstate trucking is probably the most highly regulated industry in the US. Each state has its own laws and trucking specifications. If you see a US truck, it has more state 'tags' than a NASCAR racing car.

[zonk]

this is going to kill the american trucking industry much like how nafta has stolen our jobs. i tell y'all this, whoever will stop the american jobs from being sent overseas has my vote, slowly but surely we are being choked to death by rising prices and the lack of good paying jobs

[Shadowstorm]

This is not going to kill American trucking jobs. If that was the case, jobs would been lost when Canadians trucks were allowed to drive anywhere in the United States, but it didn't happen. So all it is just fear mongering with some people.

[PanzerMaster]

Yes sure...:cantbeli:
Mexican today can own transport business in U.S. and employ legal immigrants from Mexico. And Venezuelan too.
And how are Mexico and Venezuela connected? Would you mind explaining it?

I try to explain why many when hear about "Venezuela" are seing... RED!

Venezuela has oil and a president that, apart being a typical ass-holes, is also (goddam it!!! ZOMG!!) left wing oriented and can damage some US[corp./inc./ltd.] interests in the zone.

So the US masses, of which the poster is part, are instructed to fear the evil Venezuela that will bring the plagues of Egypt, the horsemen
of Apocalypse in the American continent.... all of them packed in Mexican owned truck, drived by the famous Latinos Gringos Jihadists

[G-HUNTER]

I try to explain why many when hear about "Venezuela" are seing... RED!

Venezuela has oil and a president that, apart being a typical ass-holes, is also (goddam it!!! ZOMG!!) left wing oriented and can damage some US[corp./inc./ltd.] interests in the zone.

So the US masses, of which the poster is part, are instructed to fear the evil Venezuela that will bring the plagues of Egypt, the horsemen
of Apocalypse in the American continent.... all of them packed in Mexican owned truck, drived by the famous Latinos Gringos Jihadists

I dont know were the hell u got that crap that your smoking!

Its shure NOT Mexican! its probably Canadian ,i hear that its a lot better....

[PanzerMaster]

I dont know were the hell u got that crap that your smoking!

Its shure NOT Mexican! its probably Canadian ,i hear that its a lot better....

I was sarcastic :cantbeli:

[Tebryn]

Communist always are. Are you a communist ?

[PanzerMaster]

Communist always are. Are you a communist ?

I always voted for the near-far-right here in Italy. I switched last year to a very center position (but in the left coalition) just to make fall Berlusconi.

Having eyes to see and a brain that elaborate what I see doesn't mean be Communist. Communism is a whole ****load of theories that aren't very applicable and end always in a olygarchic fascist state.

I see with favorable eye a "socialistic" or "left" movement in South America, only because of their big problem and greater income inequality. And I also think that a stable friendship with USA is a "must" for every country in the American continent... Chavez is a moron posing against USA... but USA will be a moron if see in Venezuela a powerful enemy or a new Cuba with missile.