Thread: World Bank Report Finds Benefit From CAFTA

World Bank Report Finds Benefit From CAFTA

Jun. 29--The World Bank released a report Tuesday concluding that the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement will help more people in Central America and the Dominican Republic than it will hurt.

The trade pact faces opposition from a variety of groups including labor unions, environmentalists, the sugar industry and some manufacturers. Some fear that it will lead to U.S. job losses, while others criticize the agreement's environmental and labor protections.

But the Bush administration and many foreign policy experts say CAFTA could help foster economic stability for Central America's fledgling democracies, which have suffered from decades of civil wars and poverty.

For the five Central American countries and the Dominican Republic, CAFTA has raised concerns because it would gradually eliminate tariffs on many of their most important agricultural commodities.

But the World Bank report found that 90 percent of households in Nicaragua, 84 percent in Guatemala and 68 percent in El Salvador would benefit from lower food prices.

However, it urged the governments of these countries to establish programs to help those who could suffer from increased competition.

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ADA summary

# Jun. 29--The World Bank released a report Tuesday concluding that the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement will help more people in Central America and the Dominican Republic than it will hurt.

# Some fear that it will lead to U.S. job losses, while others criticize the agreement's environmental and labor protections.

# But the Bush administration and many foreign policy experts say CAFTA could help foster economic stability for Central America's fledgling democracies, which have suffered from decades of civil wars and poverty.

O PLEASE!

Okay, I change my mind. CAFTA must be good because the World Bank Says so.

CALL YOUR SENATORS!

The World Bank released a report Tuesday concluding that the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement will help more people in Central America and the Dominican Republic than it will hurt.

This is nice and gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
But....What does it do for US?