Independent Truckers Say Obama Should Stand Up to Mexico’s Tariffs

(Grain Valley, Mo., Aug. 17, 2010) – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) calls upon the Obama Administration to stand up to Mexico’s bullying tariff tactics and start fighting for the livelihoods of Americans.

Mexico Economic Minister Bruno Ferrari announced yesterday his government would be adding tariffs to more U.S. exports.

“If the U.S. trade representative had called out Mexico for their illegal tariffs more than a year ago, we would not be in this situation,” said OOIDA’s Executive Vice President Todd Spencer. “It was irresponsible to allow it to go on for this long.”

More than 18 months have passed since the tariffs were first imposed by Mexico because the U.S refuses to open its borders to Mexican trucks.

“These bullying tactics should not be tolerated. The onus is on Mexico to raise safety, security and environmental standards for their trucking industry,” added Spencer. “We should not allow ourselves to be blackmailed into lowering our standards.”

Trucking companies in the United States are required to comply with ever-increasing safety regulations that significantly increase their costs of operations. Mexico does not have a similar regulatory regimen and therefore its companies do not contend with the corresponding costs that encumber U.S. counterparts.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, Mo. area. The Association currently has more than 154,000 members from all 50 states and Canada.