But Mexican Economy Minister Bruno Ferrari told a news conference the existing list of goods, which includes U.S. pork exports, will now remain in place without changes until a full agreement on trucking is reached between the trade partners.
Mexico placed tariffs on a wide range of U.S. imports in March 2009 after U.S. lawmakers blocked funding for a plan to gradually allow Mexican trucks into the United States and meet a condition of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The retaliatory tariffs, which the United States says have caused about $2 billion in commercial losses, have been temporarily levied on goods ranging from strawberries to Christmas trees.
"From now on we will stop the rotating mechanism," Ferrari said, flanked by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.
Optimism about a deal has risen since the Obama administration proposed on Jan. 6 a new inspection and monitoring regime to permit long-haul trucks from Mexico in the United States, hoping to overcome American safety fears about Mexican trucks and drivers on U.S. highways.
The NAFTA trade deal requires open borders for long-haul vehicles, but the United States has limited Mexican trucks to U.S. border cities like San Diego since 1982.
Free roaming for trucks could save consumers in both countries over $400 million a year in transport costs, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico has said. (Reuters)
