transcript

This text below is a phonetic transcript of a radio story broadcast by PRI's THE WORLD. It has been created on deadline by a contractor for PRI. The transcript is included here to facilitate internet searches for audio content. Please report any transcribing errors to theworld@pri.org. This transcript may not be in its final form, and it may be updated. Please be aware that the authoritative record of material distributed by PRI's THE WORLD is the program audio.

LISA MULLINS: President Barack Obama heads to Mexico later this month. In preparation for the visit, there's been a lot of high-level talk between Mexico and the United States. Much of that talk has focused on the need for the two countries to increase cooperation. But Mexican and US officials are at odds over trucks and tariffs. The US is keeping Mexican trucks out, and Mexico is slapping tariffs on a list of US agricultural and manufactured goods. The World's Lorne Matalon reports.

LORNE MATALON: Mexican trucker Jose Avina is approaching the International Bridge linking Juarez with El Paso, Texas, his rig laden with auto parts destined for Detroit. But Avina won't make it to Michigan. He will have to unload his truck in Texas and let a US trucker take the goods the rest of the way. Avina asks, “What's the problem? I'd like to know.” The problem is that the US Congress sided with the Teamsters Union, which contends that Mexican trucks are not safe enough to be on American roads. That's why Congress voted to stop Mexican trucks from coming into the United States – even if they are safety-certified. Mexico's decision to retaliate by slapping tariffs on a long list of US goods is another move that seems to contradict all official pronouncements on both sides of the border, in favor of free trade.

PATRICIA ESPINOSA: It is important to avoid protectionism, to not go into the temptation of protectionism because this proved not to be a good solution to the crisis in the ‘30s.

MATALON: That was Mexico's Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa, speaking last week during Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Mexico. That visit was dominated by talk of cooperation in the fight against drug traffickers, despite the ongoing argument over trucks and tariffs. The trade dispute is just another aspect of a complicated US-Mexico relationship. That's according to Mexico economist Eduardo Garcia, who edits the influential website “Sentido Commun”, or “Common Sense”.
GARCIA: This came at real important juncture because of the drug cooperation between the two governments. That doesn't mean that we're not going to stand up to defend trade rights. And I think from a Mexican point of view a lot of people cheer it because it hasn't happened that often, when the Mexican government stands up to the US.

DUDLEY ALTHAUS: I think what the Mexican government did was send out a warning shot.

MATALON: Mexico-based journalist Dudley Althaus has studied cross-border trade extensively.

ALTHAUS: The Obama administration is in a really tight place, because they have a labor constituency with the Teamsters and they've also talked about revising NAFTA. But they know this is patently unfair.

MATALON: The Obama Administration is currently looking for a way to revive the trucking program and allow Mexican trucks back in. The White House says it hopes to do so before President Obama visits Mexico later this month. The Mexican government would like that. Whether the US Congress goes along with the plan is less certain. For The World, I'm Lorne Matalon, in Juarez, Mexico.

Copyright ©2008 PRI's THE WORLD. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to PRI's THE WORLD. This transcript may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. For further information, please email The World's Permissions Coordinator at theworld@pri.org.