Supreme Court gives Mexican trucks access to U.S. Interior.On June 7, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that had delayed the opening of the United States-Mexico border to international trucking, as required by the North American Free Trade Agreement North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), accord establishing a free-trade zone in North America; it was signed in 1992 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and took effect on Jan. 1, 1994. (Nafta). The unanimous decision A Unanimous Decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which all 3 judges agree on which fighter won the match. ruled that the U.S. Department of Transportation is not required to undertake an environmental impact study under the Clean Air Act before opening the border to Mexican trucks. "The decision to open our borders is long overdue," said Thomas Donohue, U.S. Chamber of Commerce The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest not-for-profit federation of businesses, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations in the United States. As of 2003, the chamber was comprised of 3000 state and local chambers and 830 business associations. President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . "We have no credibility calling on other countries to fulfill their trade commitments if we refuse to honor our own trade promises." The Nafta accord established that the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Mexico would allow partial access to the other's trucks by 1995, and would expand this access beyond border zones by Jan. 1, 2000. Trucks were to have complete access in both nations, but the Clinton administration Noun 1. Clinton administration - the executive under President Clinton executive - persons who administer the law refused to allow Mexican trucks to travel beyond border zones because it believed they did not meet U.S. safety standards Safety standards are standards designed to ensure the safety of products, activities or processes, etc. They may be advisory or compulsory and are normally laid down by an advisory or regulatory body that may be either voluntary or statutory. . Mexico retaliated by denying U.S. trucks access to its interior. "Charges that Mexican trucks would undermine the environment or impact road safety are unfounded," Donohue said, noting that the U.S. government has the authority to inspect and reject trucks that fail to meet U.S. safety standards. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Chamber/Mexico have endorsed honoring the Nafta accord's truck access agreement from the outset, and have expressed hope that the ruling will take effect immediately. U.S.-Mexico trade has nearly tripled under Nafta, growing from US$81 billion in 1993 to US$235 billion in 2003. Trucking is a vital aspect of the trade partnership; trucks move an estimated 80% of the value of bilateral trade. Because Nafta already has eliminated most tariffs and other barriers to trade with Mexico, "resolving the transportation dispute is important in keeping the partnership on track," the U.S. Chamber said in a press release. |
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