Finally – One Step Closer to Ending Unnecessary Mexican Tariffs on U.S. Agricultural Products

Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced a new proposal that would allow Mexican carriers, or long-haul trucks, into the United States in an attempt to come current on a deal the U.S. and Mexico signed in 1993. While long overdue, this action is a critical step toward ending the unnecessary tariffs Mexico has placed on U.S. agricultural products as a means of retaliation after the U.S. terminated the first Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program more than a year ago.

The Lone Star State exports billions of dollars each year worth of food, fiber and other goods across its borders to countries that depend on these Texas-made products. This is why back in 2009 I urged our federal government to find a quick resolution to this dispute. Although today’s announcement comes more than a year after Mexico imposed its retaliatory tariffs, we can only hope our southern trading partner will receive the plan well and immediately lift these unnecessary sanctions.

Our farmers and ranchers face enough challenges, from unpredictable weather to ever changing and growing regulatory policies from Washington. The last thing they need is another unnecessary obstacle. I look forward to the two sides agreeing on a solution so Texans can get back to doing what we do best – providing the world with the finest quality agricultural products.

Mexico Imposes Unwarranted Tariffs on U.S./Texas Products

Guest blogger, Drew DeBerry, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture

The Lone Star State exports billions of dollars each year worth of food, fiber and other goods across its borders to countries that depend on these Texas-made products.

That's why I'm disappointed to learn that the Mexican government has now renewed significant tariffs on roughly 100 U.S. agricultural and manufactured products. These unnecessary tariffs affect up to $2.6 billion worth of U.S. goods, including Texas agricultural products such as pork, cheese, sweet corn and grapefruit.

Mexico enacted these taxes to retaliate against the U.S. after federal officials halted the implementation of a cross-border trucking agreement that was signed in NAFTA in the mid-90's.

In March 2009, Commissioner Staples wrote a letter to President Obama requesting he quickly find a resolution to the NAFTA issue in order to prevent Mexico from imposing steep tariffs on Texas products. Commissioner Staples received a response from U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk stating a compromise policy was being proposed that would meet the requirements of the NAFTA agreement. It appears Mexico got tired of waiting.

But the real issue is about safe and affordable food. United States consumers enjoy the safest, most affordable food supply in the world. Why is it that the Mexican government is so insistent on depriving its people of that bounty?