Schwab Leads US Congressional Delegation Visit To Colombia

by Mike Godfrey, for LawAndTax-News.com, Washington

07 April 2008

US Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab led a congressional delegation to Colombia between April 4th and 6th, 2008 as part of the Administration’s efforts to highlight the importance of the pending US–Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

“Passage of the US-Colombia FTA will yield substantial economic benefits for American and Colombian businesses and consumers, while also strengthening ties with a critical Latin American ally,” announced Ambassador Schwab.

“As the Administration continues to work with congressional leaders on the passage of this crucial FTA, it is important that members of Congress see first hand the progress Colombia has made in reducing violence while growing and advancing their economy,” she added.

The US–Colombia FTA will eliminate most tariffs and other trade barriers currently imposed on goods and services between the two countries.

In addition, according to the USTR, the agreement will level the playing field for American workers by taking a program that allows temporary one-way, duty- free access to the US markets for Colombian products, and turning it into a two-way trade partnership that will provide new access to a robust and growing market for US products.

Ambassador Schwab was joined by House members Kevin Brady, John Carter, Phil English, Bob Etheridge, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Hank Johnson, Jerry Moran, Dave Reichert, and Jean Schmidt.

While in Colombia, Ambassador Schwab and members of the delegation were set to meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, local labor leaders, members of the business community, demobilized combatants, as well as supporters and opponents of the US–Colombia FTA.

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