U.S., Mexico ‘Close’ to Deal On Fleet Audits, Mineta Says

he United States and Mexico are “very close” to completing an agreement to allow U.S. inspectors to examine Mexican fleet operations in Mexico, the last hurdle before opening the border to Mexican carriers, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said.

However, Mineta said some sticking points remain and an agreement is not expected before Mexico’s July election. The main concerns, he said, are Mexican carriers’ fear of U.S. competition and resistance to U.S. emissions rules.

“We are now about to come to an agreement on our safety auditors going into Mexico and to start auditing and inspecting Mexican truck safety. We haven’t closed the deal yet; it’s this close,” Mineta told Transport Topics in a May 19 interview, as he pinched his fingers together.