woody with a view
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they must be crazy, right?
MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Mexico slapped tariffs on 90 American agricultural and manufactured exports on Monday in retaliation for
Washington's move to block Mexican trucks from using U.S. highways.
Mexican Economy Minister Gerardo Ruiz said about $2.4 billion worth of exports from 40 U.S. states would be affected and that his government would
soon publish a list of them.
Last week, the U.S. Congress canceled funding for a test program begun by the Bush administration that allowed Mexican long-haul trucks to circulate
in the United States in compliance with the North American Free Trade Agreement.
"We consider this action by the United States to be mistaken, protectionist and clearly in violation of (NAFTA)," Ruiz told reporters in Mexico City.
President Barack Obama's administration, facing its first dispute with a major trading partner and neighbor, promptly said it would work to create a
new cross-border, long-distance trucking program between the two countries.
"The president has tasked the Department of Transportation to work with the U.S. trade representative and the Department of State, along with leaders
in Congress and Mexican officials to propose legislation creating a new trucking project that will meet the legitimate concerns of Congress and our
NAFTA commitments," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
It was not immediately clear which exports would be hit.
But a spokesman for the Mexican economy ministry said the new tariffs would not affect rice, corn, beans or wheat, which are the main U.S. farm
products exported to Mexico and make up much of the average Mexican's diet.
"It won't be any of these products because Mexicans are sensitive to them," the spokesman told Reuters.
The United States agreed to allow Mexican trucks to start using U.S. highways by 1995 when it signed the NAFTA pact with Canada and Mexico three years
earlier.
But Mexican trucks were confined to border zones where they had to offload goods to be carried by U.S. companies. In 2007, the U.S. government
launched a pilot program that allowed a limited number of them full access to U.S. roads, while American trucks were also allowed to operate in
Mexico.
U.S. organized labor, led by the largest trucking union, the Teamsters, along with highway safety and consumer groups fiercely opposed the initiative,
a pet project of former President George W. Bush.
A provision depriving the program of funding was added to a $410 billion spending bill passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress last week.
Backers of the truck program, including former presidential candidate and Arizona senator John McCain, lamented the Mexican decision but said it was
expected.
"Unfortunately, this is a predictable reaction by the Mexican government to a policy that now puts the United States in clear violation of NAFTA and
was inappropriately inserted into the Omnibus appropriations bill," McCain said.
"We must take steps to prevent escalation of further protectionist measures -- actions that only serve to harm American business during these tough
economic times," he said in a statement.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office said they could not confirm which U.S. farm or manufacturing products would be hit with
increased duties. Major U.S. commodity groups also said they were awaiting details.
The impact of higher Mexican tariffs on U.S. exports of farm products to Mexico would be "huge," said Bill Biedermann, an analyst with brokerage firm
Allendale Inc.
"The market would take a very negative tone, and it could throw us right back into that bearish period of a few days ago," Biedermann said, adding
that he believed Mexico was only positioning itself to negotiate with the United States.
(Additional reporting by David Alexander in Washington, Noel Randewich in Mexico City, and K.T. Arasu and Karl Plume in Chicago, Writing by Anthony
Boadle, Editing by Paul Simao)
edit: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090316/pl_nm/us_mexico_usa_trad...
[Edited on 3-17-2009 by woody in ob]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Mexico needs to understand that the Teamsters are stronger than the Congress of the United States and this cross border trucking crap will never
happen. Unemployment in California, a major shipping conduit from Mexico, is near ten percent. Could anybody, especially unemployed truck
drivers, understand why Mexican drivers are doing jobs they used to have in support of their families?
C'mon. What ever happened to the American Way?
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oldlady
Banned
Posts: 1714
Registered: 10-31-2005
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You got a point there. Heck, no truck goes over the GW Bridge to Manhattan without a Teamster driving it, at least not if the driver is planning a
return trip.
Ya think I'll be paying more for Best Foods Mayonnaise? Yeah, I thought so.
[Edited on 3-17-2009 by oldlady]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oldlady
Best Foods Mayonnaise |
Is that made in China?
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oldlady
Banned
Posts: 1714
Registered: 10-31-2005
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Isn't everything?
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Leo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 518
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Mood: could be better
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except for tequila
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Leo
except for tequila |
You only think you know that.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
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Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Melamine Tequila? As opposed to reposado. Buy it at Trader Joe's.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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SALUD....that reposado stuff is so overrated.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
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The tiff is mostly ceremonial. Something will be worked out. I credit the Mexican Government with their restraint.
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805gregg
Super Nomad
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Location: Ojai, Ca
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There are a lot of trucks and Mexican truck driver I wouldn't want next to me when I'm on one of my motorcycles. Most are honest, sober, and drive
modern trucks. I think a simple test and truck inspection, should solve any problems. As far as union's of any kind go, times have changed.
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Mango
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It's funny, there is a large Kenworth factory in Mexicali. Maybe all Kenworth trucks should be banned too.. you know.. they were made in Mexico by
Mexicans!
We've got plenty of "Mexican" trucks on the road already.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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That's the trouble with you Americans
| Quote: | Originally posted by 805gregg
There are a lot of trucks and Mexican truck driver I wouldn't want next to me when I'm on one of my motorcycles.
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How many do you need? 
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
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They allowed a temporary use by a small number of Mexican trucks and guess what, the safety record was higher that the American trucks. so the crap
that they are throwing about the lack of safety is just a smokescreen.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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Location: South of the broder
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A list of the proposed tarrif items from the Wall Street Journal.
A partial list of the affected U.S. products follows:
-Christmas trees
-Onions
-Lettuce
-Pears
-Soft drinks
-Strawberries
-Potatoes
-Almonds
-Cherries
-Mixed fruits or dried fruit
-Soy sauce
-Mineral water
-Certain red, rosé and white wines [up to 14% alcohol by vol]
-Sunflower seeds
-Shampoos
-Manicure and pedicure solutions
-Dental creams and floss
-Deodorants
-Pre- and after-shave
-Toilet paper
-Copy paper
-Combination locks
-Kettles
-Wireless telephones
-Batteries
-Sunglasses
And I agree that the so called "safety" issue is only a smoke screen.
The US is great for signing agreements and treaties and then ignoring and refuse to implement parts of them - even when the World Court rules against
them. But of course, they want everyone else to honor them.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Dave
Elite Nomad
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That'll show 'em
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
Toilet paper
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ckiefer
Nomad
Posts: 258
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oldlady
You got a point there. Heck, no truck goes over the GW Bridge to Manhattan without a Teamster driving it, at least not if the driver is planning a
return trip.
Ya think I'll be paying more for Best Foods Mayonnaise? Yeah, I thought so.
[Edited on 3-17-2009 by oldlady] |
You can always make your own mayo! And if you're looking for a mayo substitute for your sandwiches, try avocado slices or spread. Either way you're
in for a treat!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
-Toilet paper
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Mexico makes and sells it's own toilet paper. When it's not being used in the bathroom, you can use it on your electric sander. A multi-use item.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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KETTLES?
what WILL we do?
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
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They'd Better Watch OUT.
If the Mexicans get rowdy, the new owner of AIG (Barney Frank) will cancel all of their Insurance Policies.
In Barney's own words: "Dith whole Thituation ith Dithpikabel".
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