MEXICO CITY — The trucking trade rift between the U.S. and Mexico could be coming to an end, Mexico’s economy minister predicted this week.

He told visiting media that the U.S. border could reopen to certified Mexican trucks later this year.

The Obama administration, after canceling Bush’s Mexican truck demonstration project early last year, has since hinted that it would consider reinstating the program – – albeit with new conditions.

After Congress cut off a cross-border trucking pilot program last March by prohibiting funding for such a program, the Mexican government slapped $2.4 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. 

Before heading to Mexico on a trade mission, U.S. officials told media that farmers and exporters have made their displeasure of the ban known to congress.

When asked about the state of Mexico talks at the recent press conference announcing the trucker texting ban, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was close-mouthed, saying simply, "We’re working on it."