Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller Meets with Mexico’s Economy Minister to Save Planned Railroad Expansion Through Texas (8/29/2022)
Austin – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller last week met via videoconference with Mexico’s Economy Minister Tatiana Clautier Carrillo, telling the Mexican government to reconsider plans to keep the T-MEC Corridor’s rail and port expansions away from Texas. urged to do so. The new rail line will connect the Port of Mazatlan, Mexico, with the city of Winnipeg, Canada, creating new economic opportunities for the cities along the route. Originally, the route was planned to pass through Laredo.
In early May, after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered additional truck inspections along the Texas-Mexico border, Clotier said the T-MEC corridor would be an indirect route through Santa Teresa, New Mexico instead of Texas. The order cost businesses in both the United States and Mexico more than $4 billion in economic losses due to massive delays and production losses caused by the governor’s actions.
Commissioner Miller urged reconsideration of the original plan, which included a route through Texas.
“Laredo, Texas has the largest trading port in the United States, followed by Farr and Eagle Pass,” said Miller. “This will have long-term implications for trade, and a revised plan would be much more costly due to far-reaching economic and logistical implications.”
Miller emphasized the good relationship Texas has with Mexico through farming at four export facilities managed by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
“We have great cooperation at the border. With the existing infrastructure for both rail and truck transportation, we still believe the best route for goods from both countries is through Texas. I have,” said Miller.
Minister Cloutier was very positive during the meeting, saying that he understood Miller’s reasoning and was really grateful to be able to have the conversation, emphasizing that Texas and Mexico should talk.
Miller agreed with Clouthier on the success of the meeting.
“We both agreed that this was a good first step and that talks need to continue. There’s still a lot more to come, but I’m confident we can demonstrate the benefits of the Texas route for both countries.”
“These decisions will affect the United States and Mexico even after current senior government officials resign. Both countries must do this right,” Miller said.
Miller plans to hold additional meetings in Texas and Mexico to further support the T-MEC corridor route through Texas.
