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Mexico Slaps US With Tariff

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 17, 2009 1:00 AM CDT
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(AP) – Mexico said yesterday it will increase tariffs on about 90 US products in retaliation for last week's decision to end a pilot program that allowed some Mexican trucks to transport goods in the United States. The measure will affect about $2.4 billion in trade involving goods from 40 states. Mexico's economic secretary said the tariffs were specifically chosen to hurt a large number of states on significant trade goods.

"The retaliatory measures are the cost the United States is going to have to pay for failing to fulfill its obligations under NAFTA," said the economic secretary. Last week, President Obama signed a bill cutting off funding for a 2007 program that allowed Mexican trucks to distribute goods freely in the US, a move Mexico believes is "wrong, protectionist, and a clear violation of the [NAFTA] treaty," the economic secretary said.

Mexico's President Felipe Calderon speaks to the press, Monday Feb. 9, 2009. At left is the Secretary of Economy Gerardo Ruiz Mateos, and at right is Mexico's Labor Secretary, Javier Lozano.
Mexico's President Felipe Calderon speaks to the press, Monday Feb. 9, 2009. At left is the Secretary of Economy Gerardo Ruiz Mateos, and at right is Mexico's Labor Secretary, Javier Lozano.   (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)
Robin Hvidston, right, and Raymond Herrera, protest as a truck entering the US from Mexico leaves the California Highway Patrol Otay Mesa Inspection Station in San Diego.
Robin Hvidston, right, and Raymond Herrera, protest as a truck entering the US from Mexico leaves the California Highway Patrol Otay Mesa Inspection Station in San Diego.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)
Trunks enter the US from Mexico, Sept. 6, 2007. Dozens of truckers gathered at the border to protest a program that will allow Mexican trucking companies to freely haul their cargo in the US.
Trunks enter the US from Mexico, Sept. 6, 2007. Dozens of truckers gathered at the border to protest a program that will allow Mexican trucking companies to freely haul their cargo in the US.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Mexican truckers walk among trucks parked in protest in front of the Mexican Congress in Mexico City, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009.
Mexican truckers walk among trucks parked in protest in front of the Mexican Congress in Mexico City, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guest
Mar 18, 2009 7:47 AM CDT
Frankly, allowing Mexican trucks open access to the United States is a bad idea; anyway. Drugs? Human Smuggling? We are at War? um, security is supposed to mean something. Ringing a bell? I am so glad that Obama did this. Protectionism is taking on a whole new meaning these days.
Derni
Mar 17, 2009 7:01 AM CDT
Given the state of the Mexican economy this action with hurt them more then us-so how long do you think it will be before the mexican people hang him!
Rob
Mar 17, 2009 4:02 AM CDT
Mexico is banking on antiAmericanism flying on autopilot. I think they will have a rude awakening in this economic climate.

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World • Money • US

 
Mexico • trade • NAFTA • tariffs • free trade • protectionism

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