Mexico levies higher tariffs on U.S. imports

By Ken Ellingwood

March 19, 2009
Mexico maintains that the United States violated the North American Free Trade Agreement by ending a pilot program that allowed a limited number of Mexican trucks on U.S. highways beyond the border area. The U.S. Senate ended funding last week when it excluded the program from a $410-billion spending bill.
Mexico on Wednesday announced higher tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of imports from the United States in retaliation for the U.S. government's decision to end a program allowing some Mexican trucks on America's highways.The list of 89 products includes toilet paper, Christmas trees, fruit juices, pet food, shampoo, sunflower seeds, soy sauce, pencils, beer and deodorant.

As Mexico made clear its unhappiness over the trucking issue, White House officials announced that President Obama would visit next month. The April 16-17 trip will be Obama's first to Mexico as president.