Rockefeller wants assurances Mexican trucks adhere to safety standards

Rockefeller said he is concerned that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has “lax oversight” over the cross-border trucking program. 

He said the agency nearly approved an application of one company with a poor safety record and another with outdated information. 

In May, the Senate Commerce chairman wrote LaHood and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk requesting that the Obama administration make sure new regulations on trucks carrying freight from Mexico into the United States did not jeopardize safety or existing jobs in the United States. 

On Oct. 21, Mexico suspended all remaining tariffs on U.S. products following the resolution of a dispute to let trucks cross the border. 

The United States and Mexico negotiated a pilot program in April to allow entry of Mexican trucks to comply with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) obligations. The first license was granted on Oct. 14, leading to the change in Mexico’s policy.