Posted on 02/08/2011 10:28:57 AM PST by jazusamo
Further delay will hinder economic growth and cost jobs
It has been four years since the United States and Colombia signed a reciprocal trade agreement. Unfortunately, the agreement has yet to be implemented. In June 2007, then-President George W. Bush sent the agreement to Congress but the Democratic majority in the House refused to vote on it. The new Republican Majority in the House must ensure a vote on this agreement, as it will create U.S. jobs and make good on a promise to an important ally.
Passing the agreement would create U.S. jobs by eliminating tariffs on U.S. exports to Colombia. Tariff elimination would enable U.S. exporters to compete on a level playing field with exporters from countries such as Canada and those in the European Union whose products already enter Colombia duty-free because of their existing trade agreements. It also would level the playing field between the United States and Colombia. This is because most Colombian goods already enter the United States duty-free, while most U.S. exports to Colombia face significant tariffs.
Longtime opponents of free trade oppose passage of the agreement, arguing that Colombia should be punished for violence affecting union members. They contend that Colombia is particularly dangerous for union members. In fact, a study by the highly regarded nonpartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies showed that union members were less likely to be targeted than other Colombians. In recent decades, Colombia has suffered tremendous and heart-wrenching violence at the hands of drug lords and terrorists. The violence has touched nearly every corner of Colombia‘s soil as the government has struggled for control of the country. It has touched nearly every family. It is misleading to suggest that union members have been disproportionately affected by the violence.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Not just us, but Columbia a much maligned country trying to work its way out of the drug trade.
They’re selfish, dangerous idiots. I hope the New Congress moves on this.
Amen! President Uribe was a strong ally of ours, he cleaned up with our help, much of the country in stopping drug cartels and out of control drug related crimes and murders. He also told Hugo Chavez and FARC where to go.
President Sanchez was Defense Sec? for Uribe for several years so I believe it’s likely he’ll carry on those policies.
I believe you are correct.
It’s sad how every destructive, 3rd World nutjob is given the royal treatment by Democrats while real doers who are making the world a better place are treated as scum.
Sounds like more Free Trade Communist BS. We already get coffee and cocaine from Colombia....we do not need any of their Illegal Aliens en masse (which is what Free Trade Communism brings in...look at all the Mexicans we got from NAFTA)
Free Trade Communism does not create jobs.
Did you read the article, it explains very well what the deal is?
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