Return to Issues & Policies > TCA Policies > TCA Policy International Commerce

NAFTA

In recent years, an increasing number of TCA members have been affected by government policies concerning international transportation and trade policy. The TCA general policy on international issues is "reciprocity". The following applies this principle to specific issues as they relate to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and adopts new policy in the area of equipment imports and immigration:

1. Ownership: Eliminate Mexican and U.S. restrictions immediately, or in the interim, provide U.S. citizens with the reciprocal rights Mexican citizens enjoy in the U.S., i.e., minority ownership.
2. Access: Immediate reciprocity for U.S. on Mexican frontier zone access; and phase in of interior access based on infrastructure development in Mexico. Progress should be measured by the bilateral transportation working group and access granted based on further infrastructure development.
3. Economic Regulation: The NAFTA cannot be used to revise economic regulation on the Federal or State level.
4. Immigration: Permit the use of non-national drivers for international freight movements, not for domestic movements. Qualified aliens should be permitted to immigrate into the U.S. for the purpose of taking permanent driver positions during times of driver shortages.
5. Customs: Increase border inspection facilities; expand and harmonize hours of operation; dedicate existing commercial user fees to improvements in Customs facilities; and establish uniform electronic filing systems.