Border Opens To Mexican Trucks

Opinions?

http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jan/12/nafta-trucking-measure-implemented/

It's not going to change much of anything under the current rules for a very long time, if ever. Just like with Canadian trucks, Mexican trucks can deliver here but any load they pickup must deliver in Mexico. So Mexican drivers won't be used to replace American drivers with any sort of noticeable impact.

The safety concern is the bigger concern in my opinion. Anyone that has driven down by the border knows the condition of most Mexican trucks. As long as they're safe trucks it's not a big deal in my mind.

As Brett elaborated - mexican/canadian can't run loads once they drop their inbounds, except for ones that return across the border - otherwise they have to run empty on the return trip. Not very cost effective for them - that or they sit for quite awhile, waiting for a return load - again, not very cost effective.

Mexican loads are typically left at drop yards in cross-border zones. I know most american drivers aren't too keen on driving very far into mexico either. Road suck, bandits are everywhere (and some of them have badges). So while NAFTA was a pretty sentiment for a NWO, as far as making all of MEX/US/CAN an open trade zone - for the trucking industry, there's not too much "potential reciprocity", as far as american companies operating in mexico.

Mexican companies have to apply for a permit to operate - post bond or acquire US-based insurance, etc. Whiles there's not likely going to be trucks that are in the same shape as the "dreaded mexican bus" operating on this side of the border. Every tractor-trailer rig coming across from SOTB, should be subjected to a Level I Inspection prior to being allowed to operate on this side of the border. Every Tractor & Trailer should have to have a recent (verifiable) CVSA sticker - and should have to have a new one done on THIS SIDE of the border every 60 days or so.

The threat of re-instating tariffs (import/export duty) is what compelled the USG to start letting them run - but they still have to comply with equipment standards and HOS/Safety Regs on this side of the border. And again - due to the fact that they have can only pickup a return-to-mex-load on this side of the border - I don't see many mexican rigs running too far from souther border states very often.

Rick

Living in Panama I can tell you that the state of tractor/trailer rigs here is deplorable at best. You don't want to get too close to one. Most have no brakes and the people that drive them.... well that's another story altogether. Mexico is more of the same or even worse. I would lay serious doubt on it that more than 2% of all Mexican trucks could ever pass a US inspection as ridiculous and restrictive as the rules here are. Personally as I speak the language I could drive Mexico but would never do it without a firearm close by. I would happily operate in Canada whenever I would be asked too. Good reason all of you should have your passports.