TORONTO, Ont. — The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) says it’s “encouraged,” following a meeting with Alan Bersin, commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection.

The meeting was held to discuss border-related issues that continue to affect Canadian carriers and impact cross-border trade, the CTA announced.

Topics discussed included: a solution to the issue of repositioning empty foreign trailers; the requirement for liquid cargo residues in empty tanker trailers to be manifested before entry into the US; allowing in-transit domestic shipments which travel through parts of the US between two Canadian points; and mutual recognition and harmonization of ‘trusted trader’ programs between Canada and the US.

The CTA said Bersin hinted the ‘Beyond the Border’ security initiative soon to be announced by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper will hold answers to some of the issues, specifically the streamlining of some aspects of the C-TPAT program with Canada’s Partners in Protection and the FAST program.

“We continue to be impressed by Mr. Bersin and his candour,” said CTA president and CEO David Bradley. “He seemed to share our opinion that the best way to approach security is to isolate the bad guys and let certified trusted carriers move across the border more quickly. He also talked about significantly increasing participation in the trusted trader programs, which is encouraging.”

The CTA also left the meeting hopeful the other issues discussed will be resolved.

“Mr. Bersin indicated he does want to find a ‘balanced way’ of dealing with these issues,” said Bradley. “These are all good signs, but as always, the proof will be in the pudding when the Better Borders Working Group makes its report in the near future.”