From: harelb@MATH.CORNELL.EDU (misc.activism.progressive co-moderator)
Newsgroups: alt.activism,misc.headlines,talk.politics.misc
Subject: TEXAS TRUCKERS CRITICIZE NAFTA
Date: 21 Aug 92 23:44:42 GMT
Organization: misc.activism.progressive on UseNet ; ACTIV-L@UMCVMB


    "Rogers said U.S. trucking companies are at a disadvantage  
    because Mexican carriers do not have to pay worker's nefits, nor
    compensation and unemployment bemust they meet
    the same safety requirements
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Topic 147       TRADE.NEWS 8-20-92 
kmander Updates on GATT & NAFTA Negotiations     2:28 pm  Aug 20, 1992 
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TRADE NEWS BULLETIN 
Thursday, August 20, 1992 
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NAFTA News Summary 
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TEXAS TRUCKERS CRITICIZE NAFTA 

The Texas trucking industry has joined the growing list of  
industry, environment, labor and health groups expressing  
concern about the North American Free Trade Agreement.  "We,  
like most Texans, were cautiously optimistic that the free trade  
agreement was going to be a good deal," said Hampton Rogers,  
Vice President of Government Relations for the Texas Motor  
Transportation Association.  "However, it appears that trucking  
issues haven't been addressed to the benefit of the American  
and Texas trucking industry." 

Rogers said U.S. trucking companies are at a disadvantage  
because Mexican carriers do not have to pay worker's  
compensation and unemployment benefits, nor must they meet  
the same safety requirements.  A recent Teamsters' study found  
that U.S. truck drivers earn an average $140 a day in total  
compensation, compared to $7 a day for their Mexican  
counterparts. 

According to Houston transportation consultant Paul L.  
Broussard, Mexican trucking companies will be able to operate  
in Texas and other border states three years after NAFTA's  
ratification. 

Source: "NAFTA Leaves Texas Truckers Singing the Blues,"  
JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, August 18, 1992, p. 3B. 
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Other Trade News 

1.  Israel and China initialled a trade agreement designed to  
expand commercial ties and reinforce diplomatic relations  
between the two countries.  The agreement removes  
administrative obstacles and encourages entrepeneurial  
activity, according to sources.  Israeli officials said the accord  
would enable Israel to "enter the Chinese market directly and  
smoothly, without barriers."  Israel hopes the agreement will  
double exports to China, which currently stand at $30 million a  
year.  Israeli companies have also been selling military  
equipment and knowledge to China, but no official figures are  
available on these sales.  Chinese exports to Israel are expected  
to total only $4 million this year.  Israel Radio said the deal  
would seek final approval in October. 

Source: Tony Walker, "Israel-China Trade Accord," FINANCIAL  
TIMES, August 20, 1992, p. 3A; "Israel, China Give Preliminary  
Approval to Trade Agreement," IPS, August 19, 1992. 

2.  After meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela,  
Venezuelan Economic Planning Minister Ricardo Hausmann  
declared that his country is eager to establish a free trade  
agreement with the U.S.  Hausmann said he hopes progress in  
negotiations on investor status, double taxing and intellectual  
property rights will lay the groundwork "for an eventual  
discussion of a free trade agreement similar to the one recently  
negotiated between Mexico and the U.S., or the one being  
discussed between the U.S. and Chile."  Hausmann added:  
"Venezuela is a country with a very deep vocation for trade  
with the U.S., much more than other countries in this  
hemisphere, which have stronger integration bonds with Europe  
or other regions." 

Source: "Venezuela Actively Seeking Free Trade Agreement  
with the United States," REUTER, August 19, 1992. 
_________________________________________________________ 
_________________________________________________________ 
Produced by: 
Kai Mander     
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) 
1313 Fifth Street SE, Suite #303 
Minneapolis, MN 55414-1546 USA 

Telephone:(612)379-5980 Fax:(612)379-5982  
E-Mail:kmander@igc.org 
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Newsgroups: alt.activism