U.S., Canada, Mexico Plan Trade Talks

In a prelude to a possible three-nation free-trade agreement, the United States, Mexico and Canada will begin talks on transportation issues in Washington next week, U.S. officials announced here Tuesday.

The talks are part of efforts to establish a three-nation free-trade zone, said John Negroponte, U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The countries’ representatives to the final session of the international trade talks in Belgium this week also will be discussing a three-way agreement, he told reporters in a press conference.

Negroponte said that if three-way talks fail, the United States still will try to negotiate a bilateral agreement with Mexico. The United States and Canada signed a free-trade agreement two years ago.

Truck, bus and rail transport regulations will be discussed in an effort to set a timetable for liberalization by the time formal talks on a free-trade agreement begin in mid-1991, said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Samuel K. Skinner.

“We want to be sure that implementation of a (free-trade agreement) would not be hindered by transportation issues outside the agreement,” he said.

Skinner is in Mexico this week to meet with transportation officials and to sign an agreement on rules for U.S. charter and tour bus operations in Mexico. Previously, U.S. bus companies could not operate here.

Since taking office two years ago, Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari has begun deregulating the transportation industry. However, impediments for foreign companies still exist, such as requirements that freight trailers be switched to Mexican-registered cabs and drivers on trips further than 16 miles beyond the border.

Canadian officials agreed with Skinner that improving transportation is essential.