Thanks to China, Americans learn what Mexico already knows: Trade is unfair
At the time, and to their credit, Republicans like Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, called out Democrats for their fearmongering.
The roadblock against Mexican trucks stayed in place during the eight years of the George W. Bush administration as well.
It wasn't until 2015 that President Obama -- nearing the end of his final term, and free of having to pander to the Teamsters -- lifted the ban and finally granted the Mexican trucks something they had promised by NAFTA more than 20 years earlier: permanent long-haul access to U.S. roadways.
Now Trump wants to replace NAFTA with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Experts say the new pact is not going to survive because the legislators in all three countries are not likely to ratify it. Perhaps they see this gimmick for what it is: a stab at Trump-style rebranding.
Many Americans really believe they're being unfairly targeted and taken advantage of by China. For those folks, the universe sends up a message: Mexico feels your pain.
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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com. His daily podcast, "Navarrette Nation," is available through every podcast app.
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