The US, Canadian and Mexican rail freight industry bodies have written to their governments to request the immediate renewal of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). 

It’s a highly unusual step by the Association of America Railroad (AAR), Railway Association of Canada (RAC) and Mexican Assocation of Rail (AMF), who want their governments to negotiate special clauses to develop common rail freight networks and enable efficient supply chains for shippers

Investments

At the same time, says, the joint letter, ‘these negotiations should identify a policy framework that enables railways to make the investments that are necessary to provide efficient, low-cost, safe and emissions-friendly service to their customers’.  They add that NAFTA has enabled the investment of tens of billion of US Dollars in rail infrastructures and the retention of cheap fares.

The AMF was founded in 2004 and is the main national industry association. Its president is Iker de Luisa Plaza and its main objectives are promoting rail activity and lobbying in favour of their associated.

Productivity

RAC represents 60 freight and passenger railway companies that move more than 84 million passengers and 280 billion Canadian Dollars worth of goods in Canada each year. Its president is Gérald Gauthier.

The AAR was founded in 1934. It is focused on improving the safety and the productivity of US freight railroads via proposing new railway projects, establishing standards and supporting rail research and technology initiatives. Its president is Edward R. Hamberger.