For example, the economic border can best be measured by the overall health of our respective economies and our global competitiveness. The regulatory border can be measured by our success in avoiding costly re-inspections and approvals, let alone lengthy trade disputes. The environmental border can be measured in air and water quality and, some might say, judged by God alone with regard to man's responsibility to safeguard the health of the planet. And the security border can be measured only by our ability to protect the well-being of the citizens of our two countries. While trade liberalization has been an unqualified success, it has also exposed some new hurdles.
Costs associated with crossing the border continue to be a concern.
The average non-tariff border cost can represent approximately 5 percent of the final invoice price of a given product. Most companies absorb these expenses as the cost of doing business. But surely we can do better. Many manufacturers cross the border many times a day. Same trucking company, same drivers, same goods.