North American trucking leaders weigh cross-border woes in Otay Mesa

The full implementation of initiatives established under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) took centre stage at the IRU North American Transportation Forum (NATF) roundtable in California.

IRU, together with its member the American Trucking Associations (ATA), held a roundtable in Otay Mesa, California, on the border with Mexico and a major crossing point for road freight.

Hosted by the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the roundtable took place ahead of ATA's 2025 Management Conference & Exhibition. It tackled the implementation and revision of USMCA as well as key operational challenges and opportunities for cross-border trucking. Maria Luisa Boyce (IRU member UPS) chaired the roundtable, with support from Robert Costello (ATA) and Kaitlyn Holmecki (ATA).

IRU member the Cámara Nacional del Autotransporte de Carga (CANACAR), led by National President Miguel Ángel Martínez Millán, provided insights alongside regional transport leaders Israel Delgado, Alfonso Esquer, Ramiro Montemayor, and Jorge Arizona.

They underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration to enhance the dynamic and essential services that motor carriers provide to importers and exporters across North America.

The discussion highlighted the need to ensure that initiatives established under USMCA are fully implemented, including the digitalisation and harmonisation of border processes.

The participants also stressed the importance of aligning regulatory requirements to simplify data processing and communication, promoting consistent and fair enforcement of laws and regulations, and expanding regulatory initiatives to ensure that all carriers operate safely and securely.

NATF will continue to bring together carriers from Canada, Mexico and the US to improve coordination and cooperation through ongoing dialogue and information sharing, strengthening North America's integrated and competitive road transport network.