Obama will ask Congress to approve Mexican trucking plan

[Mike]

Ag Groups Urge Obama Administration To Resolve Trucking Issue with Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 7, 2009 – An ad hoc coalition, which includes the National Pork Producers Council and 140 other business, manufacturing, food and agricultural organizations, today sent a letter (below) to President Obama urging him to quickly resolve a dispute with Mexico over allowing its trucks to transport goods into the United States.

"We need to get this trucking issue resolved," said NPPC President Don Butler, "because, although U.S. pork products were not included on the retaliation list, they could be in the future, and, more importantly, our trading partners need assurance that the United States will live up its trade obligations."

Click here for the full article including a list of businesses/organizations behind this movement.

 

[Mike]

Or, I can just go against my normal way of doing things and just post the list.

American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico, A.C.
American Cotton Shippers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Forest & Paper Association
American Frozen Food Institute
American Institute for International Steel
American Meat Institute
American Nursery & Landscape Association
American Peanut Council
American Peanut Product Manufacturers, Inc.
American Peanuts Shellers Association
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
Appleton
Apricot Producers of California
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Blue Diamond Growers
Bunge
Business Roundtable
California Agriculture Issues Forum
California Cherry Export Association
California Farm Bureau Federation
California Fig Advisory Board
California Grain and Feed Association
California Grape & Tree Fruit League
California Grape and Tree Fruit League
California League of Food Processors
California Pear Advisory Board
California Pear Growers
California Seed Association
California Strawberry Commission
California Table Grape Commission
California Tomato Growers Association
Campbell Soup Company
Cargill, Incorporated
Caterpillar
Chiquita Brands
Commodity Markets Council
ConAgra Foods, Inc.
Consumer Electronics Association
Continental Express, Inc.
Corn Refiners Association
CropLife America
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Emergency Committee for American Trade (ECAT)
Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA)
The Fertilizer Institute
Free Trade Alliance
Frozen Potato Products Institute
General Electric Company
General Mills, Inc.
Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
Glanbia Foods
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California
Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties
Herbalife International of America, Inc.
Hormel Foods Corporation
International Dairy Foods Association
JR Simplot Company
Kraft Foods
Louis Dreyfus Commodities
'Magination Consulting International
Mars Incorporated
Mary Kay Inc.
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Barley Grower’s Association
National Beef Packing Company
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
National Chicken Council
National Christmas Tree Association
National Corn Growers Association
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
National Foreign Trade Council
National Grain and Feed Association
National Grange
National Milk Producers Federation
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Pork Producers Council
National Potato Council
National Sorghum Producers
National Sunflower Association
National Turkey Federation
National Watermelon Association
Nisei Farmers League
North American Equipment Dealers Association
North American Millers’ Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
Ohio Alliance for International Trade
Oregon Association of Nurseries
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Personal Care Products Council
Pet Food Institute
Plastic Express
The Procter & Gamble Company
Produce Marketing Association
Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
Seaboard Foods LLC
Smithfield Foods
Sweetener Users Association
TBM Carriers, Inc
TechAmerica
Texas Citrus Mutual
Texas Vegetable Association
Travel Goods Association (TGA)
Truss World, Inc.
Tyson Foods
U.S. Grains Council
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel
U.S. Canola Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Meat Export Federation
U.S. Premium Beef
U.S. Wheat Associates
Unilever United States
United Egg Association
United Egg Producers
United Fresh Produce Association
United States - Mexico Chamber of Commerce
United States Council for International Business
United States Dry Bean Council
US Dairy Export Council
US Hides, Skins and Leather Association
US Rice Producers Association
USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
USA Rice Federation
Ventura County Agricultural Association
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Western Growers Association
Western Peanut Growers Association
Western United Dairymen
Wine Institute

 

[Mike]

ATA President Bill Graves Has No Objections To Opening Mexican Border

American Trucking Associations president William Graves told U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the ATA has no objections to opening the southern borders to allow Mexican and U.S. trucks direct access to their customers’ freight facilities.

LaHood met with Graves April 1 to solicit comments on reviving the Mexican cross-border truck program in preparation for President Obama’s planned mid-April trip to Mexico where he will meet with Mexican President Calderon.

Full Story

 

[Mike]

As trade war looms, Obama will ask Congress to approve Mexican trucking plan

The Obama administration is moving quickly to head off a trade war with Mexico over allowing Mexican truckers access to the United States.

Congress axed funding for the Department of Transportation’s cross-border demonstration project on March 10, and Mexico retaliated by raising tariffs on U.S. goods ranging from fresh onions and household appliances to wine and yarn.

All told, the tariffs could cost U.S. exporters some $2.4 billion in lost sales.

Full Story

 

[Mike]

Thought it would be good to merge these two threads together as much of the information is tied together.

So basically, since Mexico is going to play hardball, this Administration wants to quickly cave to the pressure. We just fought a very hard fight against the last President because of this same issue, and now we may have a tougher fight because the entire administration is likely to support it because our new President resides from the "other" political party.

If you remember how the media articles were written during the Bush administration, you could tell that the media was on the side of the people. Why? because it supported their biased agenda. Now, you see the articles coming out in an entirely different format, which will no doubt sway many people into "supporting" this administrations proposed program.

I don't like where this is going. The heart of the trucking industry, and those citizens who really understand what is at stake could lose a really big battle this time around.

 

[gearjammer]

there is probably the biggest asshole in the trucking industry bar none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mike]

there is probably the biggest asshole in the trucking industry bar none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This would be a comment towards Bill Graves and the ATA. (I merged that thread with another thread just as you were commenting, wanted to make sure the comment didn't look confusing)

 

[gearjammer]

there is probably the biggest asshole in the trucking industry bar none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK since Bull merged the thread let me fix this;

there is probably the biggest asshole in the trucking,congress government,white house,[your pick,lol] bar none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mike]

LOL.

Now, on a serious note, pay close attention to that ginormous list of organizations and large companies that are in on this push to bring in the Mexican Trucks. It shows you what you are up against this time if you are wanting to keep this plan from being passed.

You are going up against out Government, the large trucking companies (hence the ATA support), and a big portion of our food suppliers throughout the Country.

We have one trucking organization out there that is showing up on the newswire on a regular basis against this, that is the OOIDA. Right now, they are the best place I can find for solid and well researched information to combat this.

Now that we have a forum here dedicated to this issue, I will post anything and everything I can find about the issue that is remotely newsworthy, and I am sticking this thread to try and make it the primary discussion thread for the topic.

I can't emphasize enough how big this issue is "right now". The newswires were hit hard this week regarding this topic, and it looks like that will only continue as there will be a big push to gain public support of the border opening, all in the name of "the economy".

 

[dlittle]

ATA is for it / OOU stands against it,,,,,,,,

The OOU Inc dispatched a letter to the director of transportation outling several reasons to NOT allow the border crossing of trucks from mexico into the USA.

To date we have not gotten a reply.

We ask everyone to join the OOU Inc and help us make a stand in this fight.

Many thanks to sites like Truckersforum.net for keeping up on news such as this.

Dan Little

 

[Blue skies and black tops]

This is nothing more than an attempt by the trucking companies to get mexican truckers to haul the freight at a lower rate and cut the American truckers out! That is all this is about and nothing more. Power and greed drives the government as well as trucking companies in general to do things for an improvement of the bottom line and to hell with anything or anyone else!

One more thing. How can this be safe? If a man can not speak or read english then why in the hell should they be allowed to drive in this country? This is all about GREED!!!!

 

[rebel]

As trade war looms, Obama will ask Congress to approve Mexican trucking plan

The Obama administration is moving quickly to head off a trade war with Mexico over allowing Mexican truckers access to the United States.

Congress axed funding for the Department of Transportation’s cross-border demonstration project on March 10, and Mexico retaliated by raising tariffs on U.S. goods ranging from fresh onions and household appliances to wine and yarn.

All told, the tariffs could cost U.S. exporters some $2.4 billion in lost sales.

Full Story

Well from the stats that Biker put up a week or so ago, with the U.S. having about 85% of the money and Canada and Mexico splitting the rest (NAFTA trade), I'd say we win hands down in a trade war. So what's the problem?
As far as $2.4 billion is concerned, divided among all those big corporations, that's a drop in the bucket.
So as usual, I say to anyone who wants to take on this country, "If you want some, come get some."

 

[Mike]

Unfortunately, the President doesn't agree with your idea, Rebel.

We have an administration that is ready to cave at the feet of Mexico, and a large group of organizations that are supporting it with nothing but their "bottom line" as a concern.

Now, will the majority of the Nation that doesn't want this find a way to make a stand yet again, or are we about to submit to Mexican Trucks becoming a regular thing to see on our highways. (Highways that we already can't seem to afford to properly maintain)

 

[patriciajnsn]

I agree with you 150% blue skies.By the way you have a nice screenname but man is it a long name.LOL But anyway you're right it is all about greed.They've been talking about this for along while and chances are it'll happen soon.They say mexican drivers are safer drivers then americans are.Bullcrap have you seen they way they drive in Larado and how they treat their equipment.Like you said only reasons companies here in the states will hire them because they are cheaper.As far as our lauguage goes,there should be a law that they must learn american english.But that won't happen.When Carter was president,he let vietnamese into our country.

 

[rebel]

Unfortunately, the President doesn't agree with your idea, Rebel.

I guess I'll have to put my powers of persuasion to work then.

 

[patriciajnsn]

I apologize bull if me calling mexicans wetbacks offends you or anyone here.I don't care what minority you are it's wrong to let them into our country to take over our jobs and leave us without work.Obamas goal is to make peace between all nations before his term is up and that just isn't going to happen.He needs to starts looking after his own country instead of calling America arrogant and looking after taking care of every other country but his own ,the one that unfortunately elected him as president.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Well from the stats that Biker put up a week or so ago, with the U.S. having about 85% of the money and Canada and Mexico splitting the rest (NAFTA trade), I'd say we win hands down in a trade war. So what's the problem?
As far as $2.4 billion is concerned, divided among all those big corporations, that's a drop in the bucket.
So as usual, I say to anyone who wants to take on this country, "If you want some, come get some."

Dammit...Rebel. I do believe that was I, if I'm not mistaken.

Bull makes a very important point about who we're up against. And I will add, with this current administration...we're battling an extremely difficult fight. If ALL truckers don't begin to come together and speak out on this issue...y'all might as well consider this a done deal.

-ss-

 

[ironmanwife]

Well here is what our REAL president says..

Pelosi sees Mexican truck program's revival as unlikely


[SIZE=-1]10:16 AM CDT on Saturday, April 4, 2009

[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]By DAVE MICHAELS and TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News
[/SIZE]

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cast doubt Friday on the possibility that Congress would revive a program that allows Mexican truckers to operate in the U.S.
Congress killed the program last month, prompting Mexico to hike tariffs on about 90 U.S. imports including produce, red wine and consumer goods.
"I don't see a change coming," Pelosi said Friday in a roundtable discussion with regional reporters. "The president may have some other views, and we'll see what he has to say about it. But I don't see any change."
The White House has tried to end the trade dispute by assigning Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to design a program that meets North American Free Trade Agreement regulations but is palatable to lawmakers.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said Friday that the administration has assured Mexico it will try to resolve the dispute "sooner rather than later." But Kirk wasn't sure there was a way to persuade Mexico to drop the tariffs, short of Congress lifting the restrictions.
The Teamsters union and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association told LaHood this week that they remain opposed to Mexican trucks transporting goods on U.S. highways, citing concerns about safety and a lack of regulation in Mexico.
"They will continue to find hurdles because they are philosophically opposed to NAFTA and because they are opposed to competition from Mexican drivers with our own drivers," said Janet Kavinoky, director of transportation infrastructure for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who attended a meeting with LaHood this week.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association says Mexico should improve the data it keeps on accidents and citations for its truckers. It also says U.S. truckers won't go south of the border now because of drug-related violence in Mexico.
"The idea this trade agreement is reciprocal in any way, shape or form is lunacy," said Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the independent drivers association, which represents U.S. professional truckers. "U.S. trucks aren't safe south of the border, and Mexico can't assure anything in that area."
Kirk, a former Dallas mayor, said that Mexico had the right to retaliate under NAFTA rules.
He said Congress ignored the "quiet objections" of his office and the White House when it killed the program.
Mexico levied the highest tariff on imported grapes, which mostly come from California, the home state of Pelosi and many other powerful Democrats in Congress. The duties target about $2.4 billion worth of U.S. exports.
"The reality is that we have to make sure that whatever restraints that we put on trade are rules-based, are science-based and, to the degree that we can, are not just driven by emotional or just purely political factors," Kirk said.
div#article_tools_bottom a{ font-size:9px;}

 

[Blue skies and black tops]

I apologize bull if me calling mexicans wetbacks offends you or anyone here.I don't care what minority you are it's wrong to let them into our country to take over our jobs and leave us without work.Obamas goal is to make peace between all nations before his term is up and that just isn't going to happen.He needs to starts looking after his own country instead of calling America arrogant and looking after taking care of every other country but his own ,the one that unfortunately elected him as president.

Not to get to political here but..........
The reason people elected him because all they heard was change change change but never heard what kind of change. They thought that compared to GWB any change would be good but i now wonder how many of them are happy with the change that they are getting from him! Obama/Democrats are not doing anything with this country's best interest right now,you could also say that about the Republicans as well because up until the past few months they have done little to stop them. The $13.5 trillion dollars spent on bailouts since Oct 08 should be enough evidence of that and now the Mexican trucker crap! Crap that OBAMA said he was not in favor of while running for president!!! Hell he has gone back just about all of his campaign promises so why should this be any different.

Anytime you hear someone in our government talking about....say hours of service, it's always because of safety. When they speak of little black boxes in trucks, it's because of safety.When they speak of left lane restrictions, it's because of safety. But allowing a bunch of guys into this country who dont know the rules of the roads here in the US or cant read the road signs or warning signs is safe? If never been about safety,it's always been about the money,ALWAYS!

The trucking industry much like the United States of America is in need of some kind of revolution! The powers that be are not going to change anything that does follow with there plans. If it's not about not about more power and more money for them then they dont give a crap!

 

[luapwife]

luap was telling me about this during his home time. I don't think I like the idea of having people, who do not have the same requirements we do, travelling into our country. it is my understanding that US has strict guidelines about the trucking industry and everyone must abide by them. It's kinda like playing russian roulette and the russians have the upper hand and won't be accountable for their actions if something does go wrong. Not feeling warm and fuzzy about that at all.