Bush Urges Congress To Pass Colombia Free Trade Deal

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

09 April 2008

President Bush on Monday urged Congress to cease its lengthy deliberations over the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement and pass the necessary legislation before his presidency expires.

Making use of his authority to 'fast track' legislation through Congress, Bush this week signed a letter that will trigger a procedure whereby the US-Colombia FTA must be considered within 90 legislative days.

The administration argues that the agreement is vital not only for America's exporters to Colombia - at present most Colombian exports enter the United States duty-free, while American products exported to Colombia face tariffs of up to 35% percent for non-agricultural goods and much higher for many agricultural products - but also the country's national security interests.

"The current situation is one-sided. Our markets are open to Colombian products, but barriers exist that make it harder to sell American products in Colombia. I think it makes sense to remedy this situation. I think it makes sense for Americans' goods and services to be treated just like Colombia's goods and services are treated. So it's time to level the playing field," Bush told a press conference shortly before signing the letter.

"As soon as it is implemented, the agreement I'm sending Congress will eliminate tariffs on more than 80% of American exports of industrial and consumer goods. And in time this agreement will eliminate tariffs on all American exports to Colombia," he added.

The US-Colombia FTA was signed by the two governments in November 2006, but has stalled in Congress as Democrats, appalled at Colombia's past track record of violently suppressing trade unions, have demanded that tougher provisions protecting labor rights are inserted into the agreement.

"Many Democrats continue to have serious concerns about an agreement that creates the highest level of economic integration with a country where workers and their families are routinely murdered and subjected to violence and intimidation for seeking to exercise their most basic economic rights. And the perpetrators of the violence have near total impunity," argued Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Bush however, counters that Colombia has addressed these issues under the leadership of President Uribe.

Meanwhile, Sen. Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has warned Bush that he is "making a big mistake” by forcing Congress to vote on the Colombia trade agreement without a chance to properly consider the legislation.

According to Baucus, Bush's decision represents "an abuse of the fast-track process for trade agreements, and may well turn supporters and potential supporters of the Colombia agreement into opponents of the deal".

"Forcing this vote now is a disservice to American workers and to our trading partner, Colombia, as well. Colombia is an important ally in a troubled region. I urge the President not to add fuel to the fire surrounding this agreement, but to reconsider this unwise decision," he stated.

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