Mexican Official Objects to Nafta Rules

SAN ANTONIO – A top Mexican transportation official Wednesday objected to U.S. regulations governing cross-border trucking.

Aaron Dychter, Mexican subsecretary of communications and transport, said the regulations’ English language requirement for drivers was unfair, as is granting only provisional rather than permanent operating authority to Mexican truckers.

The language requirement is open to inconsistent enforcement since it’s not specific, he said. U.S. Department of Transportation regulations require that Mexican drivers know English well enough to function on U.S. highways.

“The government of Mexico is expressing concern for regulations that were published which appear not to be in compliance with objectives of Nafta,” Dychter said at a North American Free Trade Agreement transportation conference.

In response, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Michael Jackson said DOT’s regulations are mandated by Congress, but said there are some areas, “where we can use common sense in how to regulate the industry.”

Both officials said Mexico’s objections could be worked out, and weren’t likely to delay the border opening, scheduled for mid-summer.

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