-
Source: NZPA / Ross Setford
Mexican truckers are suing the United States for $6 billion
($9.2 billion) over Washington's refusal to allow Mexican haulers
onto its roads as required under the NAFTA trade pact, a trucking
association said.
About 4,500 trucking companies represented by Mexico's National
Cargo Transportation Association (Canacar) are involved in the
lawsuit, according to Canacar.
The United States agreed under NAFTA - the North American Free
Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada - to let Mexican trucks use
its highways beginning in 1995.
But Mexican firms have remained confined to a narrow border area
amid strong opposition from US labour unions and consumer groups
that say Mexican truck safety standards are lax.
Mexico slapped punitive tariffs on $3.7 billion worth of US exports
in March after the US Congress ended a 2007 program that opened up
American highways to some Mexican long-haul trucks.
The dispute raised fears of a trade war but Mexico has said it
plans no further sanctions and will seek a negotiated solution to
the impasse.
Total trade between the United States and Mexico was $567
billion last year.
The issue of allowing Mexican trucks into the United States has
been a sore point between the two nations for years.
A NAFTA tribunal ruled in 2001 the United States had violated the
treaty by restricting Mexican trucks to a narrow stretch along its
border but Mexico opted not to impose sanctions at the time.
Companies can sue the governments of the three NAFTA signatory
nations if they think they have been unfairly treated by public
policies.
World News Video
-
Dangerous rush to Everest summit (1:59)
-
Dozens killed in Syrian massacre (2:09)
-
'King of Romance' competes in Eurovision (1:46)
