Resolving the Mexico Dispute

Resolving the Mexico Dispute

Resolving the Mexico Dispute. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The Mexican tariff issue continues to be a major problem for Washington State farmers and fruit growers. Senator Patty Murray recently put some pressure on Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to solve the trade dispute. MURRAY: Back in March I urged you and the administration to move quickly to craft a plan to resume this cross-border trucking in a way that would address the safety concerns that were raised during the pilot and the tariffs that are imposed right now. Murray was speaking at a hearing of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. MURRAY: I want you to know that the effects of that Mexican tariff have been absolutely devastating to the farmers and families in my home state now. The tariffs are really undermining our farmers' competitiveness. They are killing jobs, devastating communities. Mexico last year levied a 20 percent tariff on more than 90 U.S. agricultural and industrial products worth an estimated $2.4 billion. The move came after expiration of a pilot program that allowed a limited number of Mexican trucks access to U.S. highways. Pears, cherries, apricots and mixed nuts are some of the commodities affected. Secretary LaHood says they are working on it. LaHOOD: Since the program was suspended we have worked very hard with the White House and other members of the cabinet. President Obama's team has worked very hard to put a proposal together. We will be announcing it very soon. Tomorrow we will delve deeper into the answers Senator Murray is getting from Capital Hill. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
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