(Grain Valley, Mo., Feb. 23, 2010) – Almost one year after their implementation, U.S. trade officials have yet to question the legitimacy of politically targeted tariffs levied by Mexico on U.S. exports. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is calling upon the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to immediately challenge the legality of the tariffs so that the debate regarding cross-border trucking with Mexico can be shifted from economics to highway safety and security.

Instead of questioning Mexico’s strong-arm tactics, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk has indicated a willingness to give in to that government’s bullying and has publicly stated that the easiest way to put an end to the tariffs is to start yet another cross-border trucking program. Mexican officials not only have indicated that they plan to keep the tariffs in place, but also have hinted at imposing even higher tariffs if the cross-border trucking issue is not resolved to their liking.

In addition to lacking a regulatory infrastructure for trucking safety, Mexico has yet to fully address numerous other issues related to homeland security, criminal activity and its trucking industry.  News reports appear daily about ongoing border violence and the inability of the Mexican government to maintain control over its drug cartels. Customs officers regularly find narcotics and illicit cargo embedded in truckloads crossing the southern border into the United States. Recently, a trailer with 18 tons of explosives was stolen in northern Mexico.

“These are just a few examples that show Mexico is nowhere near ready to have full access to U.S. highways. Too many safety and security issues have yet to be resolved. Those issues certainly haven’t improved in the past year,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer.

“This is what officials from Mexico should be focused on, and our U.S. trade rep should not be bashful about telling it exactly that way,” Spencer said.

To date, there have been no reports from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or from Mexican officials as to what efforts Mexico has made to comply with the regulatory items stipulated to them for gaining access to U.S. highways.  Those items include safety regulations such as comparable drug and alcohol testing, commercial drivers licensing and tracking, and hours-of-service requirements, among other issues.

“Small-business truckers and professional drivers based in the U.S. must contend with an ever increasing regimen of safety, security and environmental regulations,” added Spencer. “Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and drivers simply do not contend with a similar regulatory regimen in their home country nor must they contend with the corresponding regulatory compliance costs that encumber their U.S. counterparts.”

“Instead of caving into blackmail from Mexico, the safety of our nation’s highways should be the top priority of U.S. officials,” said Spencer.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has more than 156,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, Mo., area.