After meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon Thursday, US President Barack Obama announced that the two nations have reached a proposed agreement to reopen US highways to incoming Mexican trucks.
Due to US concerns that Mexican trucks did not abide by US safety and environmental standards, in 2009 the US canceled a pilot program enacted in 2007 to allow Mexican trucking companies to bring cargo into the US. The pilot program was based on the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). After the program was cancelled, the angered Mexican government imposed tariffs on US imports causing bruised relations between the two nations.
Once the deal is signed, half of the Mexican tariffs on US goods will be removed, with the other half lifted once the first Mexican truck can officially enter the US.
The proposed measure will now be sent to Congress for approval.