Mexican tariffs to be lifted on potatoes
MOSES LAKE - Mexican tariffs between 10 and 45 percent on U.S. agricultural products are being eliminated.
The tariffs are on potatoes, cherries, pears and 87 other U.S. products
In exchange, the U.S. re-establishes a cross-border trucking program with Mexico containing new safety standards.
The program includes the following requirements: the Department of Homeland Security approves participating drivers and reviews driving records, drivers must complete an English-language proficiency test and a test on U.S. traffic laws in English, trucks must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards and EPA emissions standards, and trucks and drivers are inspected each time they cross the U.S. border, according to program safety provisions.
It was anticipated the final program and the certification of the trucking companies would occur this fall, said Matt Harris, the director of trade for the Washington State Potato Commission.
"We were seeing what the DOT (Department of Transportation) was going to do and it looks like the program would be established," Harris said. "Now we'll see the 2.5 percent of the remaining French fry tariff reduce to zero. It's great news that we've seen these tariffs reduced to zero and we can try to hopefully rebuild that market."
In 2010, Prosser's ConAgra plant closed and the company announced 250 workers were going to be laid off.
Harris said he thought the closure was a culmination of the tariffs and the economy.
"I do believe they were trying to look at other positions within the company so people could maintain their jobs," Harris commented.
Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., has worked on the issue since March 2009, according to his office.
"I think it will be a positive," he said. "The reason why, is historically, Mexico has been our biggest trading partner."
The lifting of the tariffs gives the U.S. greater access to its markets, Hastings said.
He must still review the proposal, but a plan "finally exists and negotiations with Mexico underway are promising," he stated.
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