The
U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded the April 6 announcement that the
United States has reached an agreement with Colombia on labor and
judicial reforms that will open the door for Congressional approval of
the long-pending U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. "Presidents
Obama and Santos showed courage and pragmatism in striking this accord,"
said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. "Passionate,
bipartisan support in Congress for the trade agreement with Colombia was
also critical to this breakthrough, as was the tireless work of
Ambassador Kirk. This proves the United States can still lead on trade.
The Chamber will work closely with the White House and Congress to
secure approval of the three pending free trade agreements in the weeks
ahead."
U.S.
tariffs on Colombian manufactured goods averaged just 0.1% last year,
but Colombian tariffs on U.S. manufactured goods averaged 15% - and even
higher for U.S. agricultural products. The U.S.-Colombia trade
agreement will level the playing field for U.S. workers, farmers, and
companies by immediately eliminating Colombian duties on more than 80%
of U.S. exports. It will also open services markets and strengthen
intellectual property rights, according to the U.S. Chamber, which
serves as secretariat for the Latin American Trade Coalition.
"We can't afford further delay," Donohue said. "Other nations are racing to clinch their own trade deals with Colombia and put American workers at a competitive disadvantage. U.S. farmers have already seen their share of Colombia's agriculture market fall from about three-quarters two years ago to one-quarter today." A U.S. Chamber study warned that the United States will lose more than 380,000 jobs and $40 billion in export sales if the pending trade agreements suffer further delays. The Chamber sent a letter to Congress urging members to support the trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama.
The Latin America Trade Coalition sent letters to the Congressional leadership and to President Obama recognizing the positive steps taken by the Administration on the trade agreements with Colombia and Panama and urging their approval. Strong support of the agreement was voiced by many members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. Please also visit the coalition website for an overview of the outpouring of support from companies and business and agricultural organizations.
Take action now! Urge your Senators and Representative to support the pending free trade agreements. Underscore what the trade agreements will mean for your business, organization, or association.
"We can't afford further delay," Donohue said. "Other nations are racing to clinch their own trade deals with Colombia and put American workers at a competitive disadvantage. U.S. farmers have already seen their share of Colombia's agriculture market fall from about three-quarters two years ago to one-quarter today." A U.S. Chamber study warned that the United States will lose more than 380,000 jobs and $40 billion in export sales if the pending trade agreements suffer further delays. The Chamber sent a letter to Congress urging members to support the trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama.
The Latin America Trade Coalition sent letters to the Congressional leadership and to President Obama recognizing the positive steps taken by the Administration on the trade agreements with Colombia and Panama and urging their approval. Strong support of the agreement was voiced by many members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. Please also visit the coalition website for an overview of the outpouring of support from companies and business and agricultural organizations.
Take action now! Urge your Senators and Representative to support the pending free trade agreements. Underscore what the trade agreements will mean for your business, organization, or association.
