In March 2009, Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs on
approximately 90 products from the United States due to a
16-year-old trucking dispute related to NAFTA. To review our
original Client Alert on this issue, please click here. Since the
U.S. has taken steps toward meeting its obligations under NAFTA,
Mexico has agreed to suspend the retaliatory tariffs imposed on
U.S. exports.
Background
The NAFTA trucking dispute began in 1995 when, contrary to its
obligations under the Agreement, the U.S. announced it would not
lift restrictions on Mexican trucks' operation on U.S.
highways. In 2001, a NAFTA arbitration panel found the U.S. to be
in breach of its obligations, however, it was not until 2007 that
Mexico and the U.S. agreed to a pilot program granting licenses to
100 Mexican trucking companies and 100 U.S. companies to operate on
the other country's roads. The U.S. ended the pilot program in
early 2009 and Mexico quickly retaliated by imposing duties
