WASHINGTON — The largest owner-op group in the U.S. doesn’t want to see a new Mexican cross-border program anytime soon.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has sent a letter asking President Obama to suspend plans to establish another cross-border trucking program.

The President signed an appropriations bill that cuts off funding for the pilot project that’s been in place for the last 18 months, but administration officials said they would work on an alternative program.

OOIDA argues against any program that allows Mexican trucks full access to the U.S. highway system — at least until Mexico raises its trucking regulatory standards to that of the United States and Canada.

In his letter to the president, Jim Johnston, OOIDA president, said NAFTA does not require the U.S. to make exemptions for safety and security.

"Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and drivers simply do not contend with a similar regulatory regime in their home country, nor must they contend with the corresponding regulatory compliance costs that encumber their U.S. counterparts," said Johnston in the letter.

The Mexican government has responded to the cancellation of the cross-border program with retaliatory tariffs on dozens of goods.