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American Trucking Associations and nearly two dozen other business groups in recent weeks have re-affirmed their support of Alan Bersin as commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

Trucking industry leaders in both Canada and the United States applauded an agreement between the two nations to spend the next two years streamlining and coordinating the plethora of agencies and regulations that govern security and freight movement at their border.

The Department of Transportation has finally taken the first, tentative step toward resolving the long-running battle with Mexico over opening the common border to commercial trucking between the nations.

Safety and security remain a top concern for fleets crossing both the northern and southern borders, and motor carriers — including Celadon Group Inc. and Trimac Transportation Services Inc., Calgary, Alberta — are turning to the latest technology, electronic transmissions and voluntary government programs to streamline crossings and protect their freight.