https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44995603
FLASHBACK: Mexican truck is first in US under delayed NAFTA program
A Mexican truck crossed into the U.S. on Friday bound for the nation's interior, fulfilling a long-delayed provision of the North American Free Trade Agreement that had been stalled for years by concerns it could put highway safety and American jobs at risk.
Oct. 21, 2011, 8:11 PM EDT
A Mexican truck crosses the border between Mexico and the United States in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Friday, for the first time under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
A Mexican truck crossed into the U.S. on Friday bound for the nation's interior, fulfilling a long-delayed provision of the North American Free Trade Agreement that had been stalled for years by concerns it could put highway safety and American jobs at risk.
The crossing came nearly two decades after passage of NAFTA, which was supposed to give trucks from both countries unhindered access to highways on either side of the border.
At a ceremony before the tractor-trailer set off for a Dallas suburb, the owner of the Transportes Olympic trucking company said he considers his fleet's access to the U.S. interior like being invited to a friend's house.
"We have to be extra orderly and very respectful," Fernando Paez told dignitaries of both countries and a crowd of 300 people. "We will demonstrate that we can operate safely and efficiently."
Drill hauled
The Freightliner truck was hauling a large steel drilling structure. At the wheel was Josue Cruz, who waved from the cab, flashed a thumbs-up and thundered toward the bridge over the Rio Grande leading to Laredo, Texas. He was expected to unload in Garland on Saturday or possibly Monday if the business couldn't receive the cargo immediately.
Trucks have crossed into the interior before but only as pPost too long. Click here to view the full text.
