Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Rebuilding Trade Relations

Last week, I was pleased to report the progress being made on bringing the United States back into compliance with a trade agreement signed into law in 1993. The introduction of a new cross-border trucking proposal with Mexico takes a step toward rebuilding trade relations with our neighbor to the south.

In response to this U.S. proposal and as a show of goodwill toward facilitating trade between our countries, Mexico has since announced it will suspend the rotation of products being placed on the retaliatory tariff list.

This good news comes just days after the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced a new proposal that would again allow Mexican carriers to enter the United States. Obviously, this is great news for our farmers, ranchers and economy. It also bodes well for future trade relations with our closest neighbor, and for that I am thankful. However, during the duration of negotiations, the products currently on the retaliatory list will continue to be subject to additional duties in place.

To our neighbors in Mexico, I offer my gratitude and look forward to moving beyond the past so we may build a brighter future on a foundation of cooperation. I will not rest on this issue until it is finally resolved once and for all.

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