U.S. Could Open Border to Mexican Trucks By 2000

TT File Photo

Mexican trucks could be allowed limited access to four U.S. border states by year’s end, according to Department of Transportation documents submitted to Congress.

“If our work proceeds as we anticipate, I am confident that we might be able to move toward processing new applications for operating authority from Mexican carriers, hopefully by the end of the year,” Charles Hunnicutt, assistant DOT secretary for aviation and international affairs, said in written testimony submitted to the House Transportation subcommittee on appropriations during a hearing.

In his Feb. 23 appearance before the panel, Hunnicutt backed away from the written statement, saying he did not want to tip off Mexican counterparts to the administration’s negotiating strategy. However, he gave the first indication that DOT had a schedule for opening the border to Mexican carriers.

“As a result of continuing negotiations, as recently as this month, we are beginning the final phases of negotiations and will begin processing Mexican carrier applications within a reasonable time,” Hunnicutt told the subcommittee.

DOT has 196 applications on file from Mexican carriers wanting to operate in the United States.

nder the North American Free Trade Agreement, Mexican carriers were supposed to be allowed free access to California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico in December 1995. The accord calls for opening the entire United States to Mexican trucks on Jan. 1, 2000.

Since Congress approved the agreement in 1994, DOT has refused to open the border until it is satisfied that Mexican carriers meet U.S. safety standards.

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