CEOs and senior figures from 30 trucking companies in Canada, Mexico and the US were in Washington D.C. to exchange on cross-border challenges at IRU’s first North American Transportation Forum Leadership Dialogue.
Tariffs, trade policy, border security and visas topped the agenda for trucking industry leaders from Canada, Mexico and the US, meeting last week in Washington D.C. for the first Leadership Dialogue of IRU’s North American Transportation Forum.
Hosted by IRU member the American Trucking Associations (ATA) in partnership with members CANACAR and CTA, the Mexican and Canadian trucking associations, the invitation-only event brought together 30 CEOs and senior executives from some of the biggest motor carriers operating cross-border road freight services in the region.
With many challenges on the industry’s cross-border agenda, participants recognised the need for a more coordinated approach across the region to engage with each other and IRU members on advocacy strategies.
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto, in opening the event, said “This dialogue comes at a crucial time for the commercial road transport industry in North America.
“We need to work together in engaging the region’s governments to ensure that our industry can continue to deliver the economic and social prosperity that trucking drives within and between Canada, Mexico and the US.”
Amidst US tariff policy uncertainty, discussion focused on the possible impact of tariffs on road freight operations on transport demand and on costs including potentially negative impacts on truck prices.
The trade representatives of Canada and Mexico in their Washington D.C. embassies put current tariff negotiations into perspective. Insights into future post tariff demand scenarios were also discussed with leading US trade associations including the National Retail Federation, the National Pork Producers Council and MEMA, the national association for vehicle and vehicle component manufacturers.
US Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX), whose constituency includes Laredo, Texas, the busiest road freight border crossing between the US and Mexico, also discussed tariff policy and current US Congress engagement on trade issues.
New US administration appointees in leadership positions at the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and US Customs and Border Protection discussed with participants on industry needs for safety and security. A particular focus was how trucking companies in Canada, Mexico and the US can further support and strengthen border security.
Best industry practice in using drivers with the correct visa status to operate services outside their home countries was also discussed.
IRU member UPS welcomed all participants for a reception at their Capitol Hill townhouse. Mexican Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma hosted and spoke at a dinner at the Mexican Cultural Institute, kindly sponsored by ANPACT, the Mexican association of truck, bus and component manufacturers.
Umberto de Pretto wrapped up the dialogue, saying that, “Road transport keeps North America moving. Motor carriers from Canada, Mexico and the US need to be able to keep doing their job in delivering prosperity for North America’s citizens and businesses.
“We are committed, through the IRU North American Transportation Forum, to bring industry leaders together regularly on crucial cross-border issues and help coordinate IRU member advocacy approaches across the three countries.”
The North American Transportation Forum, run in partnership with IRU members ATA, CANACAR and CTA, brings together leading carriers, shippers and logistics companies who run cross-border services between Canada, the US and Mexico.
