Border Advocate | June 2010

Published June 21, 2010 | By admin

The Border Advocate

A Border Trade Alliance newsletter

June 2010

In This Issue

BTA holds talks with Aduanas in Mexico City

BTA hosts C-TPAT forum in El Paso

Bersin confirmation hearing fails to focus on critical trade issues

Seen and heard

Issue committees seeking new members

BTA shares ideas for improving U.S.-Mexico trade in Mexico City meetings

Border Trade Alliance Conducts High-Level Meetings with Mexican Customs Officials

Border Trade Alliance leaders recently held high-level talks with Mexican customs officials in Mexico City where the parties discussed ways to improve trade facilitation across the U.S.-Mexico border. The Aduanas officials also agreed to meet with BTA on regular basis to ensure that these productive discussions continue.

BTA Chair Kathy Neal and BTA President Nelson Balido led the discussions that centered on how the U.S. and Mexico can work collaboratively to find new ways to expedite trade and travel and strengthen the border region economy.

The BTA also interfaced with an economics officer from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City to round out the group's visit to the Mexican capital.

The meetings took place at Mexico's Aduanas headquarters where officials received Neal, Balido and BTA Executive Committee Member Teclo J. Garcia, who represented the City of McAllen. The meetings were the result of several months of planning utilizing the BTA's unique relationships in Mexico and with officials at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C.

All told, the BTA visited with eight officials from the Administración General de Aduanas.

The BTA was able to present to the Mexican leaders an overview of the BTA's mission, a discussion of how the organization functions and how it can help foster talks and relationships in the U.S.

Additionally, the BTA raised several issues directly concerning security, human resources and infrastructure challenges at crossing points along the border. Mexican Customs was able to present to the BTA its plans for border crossings in the future and gave status reports on port security programs it has recently installed.

The diplomatic but frank conversations were appreciated by both sides. The Customs leaders agreed to meet with the BTA regularly and continue the open dialogue with the organization's leadership.

C-TPAT

BTA hosts forum in El Paso with C-TPAT Director Bradd Skinner

The BTA brought together key players in the El Paso trade community in May for an in-depth discussion with C-TPAT Director Bradd Skinner.

*C-TPAT Director Bradd Skinner speaks to a full house at BTA's C-TPAT forum on May 13 in El Paso*

C-TPAT members from across a broad cross-section of the trade were able to engage in a good dialogue with the director over their concerns with the program. But even more beneficial, a moderated discussion sponsored by BTA member BoozAllenHamilton allowed members to put forward concrete recommendations for CBP to consider as the agency looks for ways to strenghten C-TPAT's offerings.

Notable attendees included representatives of Delphi, Electrolux, Union Pacific, the City of El Paso and the offices of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Sen. John Cornyn.

A paper outlining the recommendations that emerged from the May session will be issued soon.

CBP Commissioner Nomination

BTA Blasts Senate Finance Committee Customs Confirmation Hearing

The BTA in May called for the confirmation of Alan Bersin as commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection, saying that the issues that drove the majority of the discussion during his confirmation hearing in the Senate Finance Committee were a complete distraction from the important issues facing CBP.

"It's outrageous that while the cross-border trade community is calling for leadership within CBP, a few senators have hijacked what should be an important discussion about trade facilitation and border security," Border Trade Alliance President Nelson Balido said. "Alan Bersin has shown that he is committed to ensuring that trade facilitation and security are integrated in CBP's practices and not at odds with one another. For the Senate Finance Committee to turn a confirmation hearing into a discussion of housekeepers and babysitters was a complete disservice to border communities, industry and to Mr. Bersin."

Balido said there are too many items on the CBP agenda for the agency to go without a confirmed commissioner.

"Industry is clamoring for improved communication with CBP on issues like rule changes, and we're seeking improvements to trusted shipper and traveler programs like C-TPAT and FAST," Balido said. "The Senate needs to get back to the task at hand and confirm Alan Bersin as the next commissioner of CBP."

The letter BTA wrote to Financ Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Ranking Member Charles Grassley is available here.

About the Border Trade Alliance

Founded in 1986, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is a grassroots, non-profit organization that serves as a forum for participants to address key issues affecting trade and economic development in North America. Working with entities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the BTA advocates on behalf of policies and initiatives designed to improve border affairs and trade relations among the three nations.

Our mission is to initiate, monitor and influence public policy and private sector initiatives for the facilitation of international trade and commerce through advocacy, education, issue development, research and analysis, and strategic planning.

Seen and heard

BTA Vice-Chair Sam Vale in May testified in McAllen, Texas at a field hearing of the Texas House Committee on Public Safety and the Committee on Border and Intergovernmental Affairs.

The hearing, which was focused on state efforts to control border violence, featured several panels, including local government, law enforcement and the private sector, which Mr. Vale participated in. Mr. Vale urged greater intergovernmental cooperation and warned against overreach by state agencies.

BTA committees seeking new members

The BTA's three issue committees are seeking new members.

The committees are:

- Security and Trade

- Transportation

- Agribusiness and Natural Resources

If you have an interest in helping to craft BTA policy, e-mail Garrick Taylor for more information.

Quick Links

BTA Web site