U.S. Mexican truck deal means staggered reduction in tariffs
Washington Ag Today March 7, 2011 The United States and Mexico may have announced a path to resolve a trucking dispute that resulted in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods including agricultural products, but those tariffs are not going to end immediately. Dave Salmonsen, a trade specialist with the American Farm Bureau explains. Salmonsen: “There will be what is called a phased in program to authorize both Mexico and the United States‘ long haul carriers to engage in cross border operations. Once they reach this final agreement, which is expected to be within the next few months, Mexico will suspend its retaliatory tarrifs in stages.” The White House says when a final agreement is signed Mexico will reduce the retaliatory tariffs by 50 percent and will suspend the remaining 50 percent when the first Mexican carrier is granted operating authority under the program. The administration says as soon as all details are in place interested members of Congress will be conferred with and comment will be sought on the agreement The Mexican tariffs imposed almost two years ago now for a U.S. violation of NAFTA, have cost Washington’s fruit and potato industries millions of dollars in lost exports. According to the Washington Department of Commerce the state’s farmers have seen a 39 million dollar decline in potato exports, a 39 million dollar drop in pear exports and a two million dollar drop in both cherry and apricot exports. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net. ?
