OTTAWA, Ont. — A pre-clearance system for trucks at the Canada-U.S. border may not be implemented as smoothly as first thought, according to Deputy Prime Minister John Manley.

Manley announced this weekend that the U.S. Customs officials have been resisting Canada’s efforts to pre-clear trucks. He added that Canada may have to settle for a pilot project aimed at the auto industry that will hopefully convince the U.S. that such a system is viable.

Federal Progressive Conservative Leader, Joe Clark, lashed out at the Liberals, claiming "(The U.S.) doesn’t take us seriously and they think our government doesn’t take this seriously."

Clark adds that the pilot project will only account for "a sliver of our truck trade across the border."

Manley’s comments come on the heels of meetings with U.S. Homeland Security chief, Tom Ridge in New York.