Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood shared an initial concept document for a long haul cross-border Mexican trucking program with Congress and the government of Mexico. This program is an effort to seek a solution to the tariffs placed on American agricultural and other products by the Government of Mexico following the halt of a pilot program in March 2009 requiring safety inspections of trucks entering the United States from Mexico.
“Farmers in my district and across the Pacific Northwest have been hit hard by the arbitrary and unnecessary tariffs imposed by the Mexican government.
“I am frustrated that it has taken this long to start the process of finding a solution but I am pleased the Department of Transportation is making progress on this important issue.
“Allowing U.S. farmers to have full market access into Mexico will spur job growth and economic activity.
“I will continue working to see these tariffs lifted so farmers in the Pacific Northwest can transport their produce across the border and increase the income for their farms.
Rep. Larsen sent a letter to the President in April 2009 with a number of other Members of Congress asking for a solution to the Mexican tariffs and recently met with the Ambassador from Mexico to discuss the issue.
