Thread: U.S., Colombia Reach Free-Trade Agreem. Dangers Imprudence

U.S., Colombia Reach Free-Trade Agreement

http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle ... leID=11530



By John S. McClenahen




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Feb. 27, 2006 -- Following nearly two years of discussions, Colombia and the United States have reached agreement on a free-trade pact. The agreement is one of three the U.S. has been pursuing with the Andean nations of Colombia, Peru and Ecuador since May 2004. Negotiations with Peru were concluded in December 2005; negotiations with Ecuador continue.



Last year, trade between Colombia and the U.S. totaled $14.3 billion. U.S. exports of goods to Colombia were $5.4 billion, led by machinery, organic chemicals and plastics.

Congress must approve the agreement with Colombia before the pact can be implemented.


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Dangers of an Act of Imprudence


I will try to explain why this is so dangerous for all the parties involved.

Many American Friends can help me to explain the Perils and Dangers.

This is an act of madness and Economic Irrationality !

Everybody will be a loser.

You don't make friends with pacts that are economically unsound, juridically absurd, and that lead to many military and political difficulties.

This will be a nightmare for American Foreign Policy.

Friendship can be better constructed in other ways.

For my land Colombia this treaty is absolutely absurd !

Vicente Duque

U.S., Colombia conclude free trade agreement

Kare 11 ---- Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Minnesota




http://www.kare11.com/money/business_ar ... yid=119591


More Business Stories
The United States and Colombia have concluded a trade agreement to eliminate tariffs and other barriers to goods and services flowing between the two countries.

The agreement was announced Monday by U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Jorge Humberto Botero, Colombia's minister for trade, industry and tourism.

"The free trade agreement with Colombia will generate export opportunities for U.S. agriculture, industry and service providers and help create jobs in the United States," Portman said. "The agreement will help foster economic development in Colombia and contribute to efforts to counter narco-terrorism, which threatens democracy and regional stability."

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In 2005, the United States and Colombia had $14.3 billion in trade, and Colombia is currently the second largest agricultural market for the United States in Latin America.


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Vicente Duque

US-Colombia FTA Talks Close

Prensa Latina

Latin America News Agency




http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID ... anguage=EN


Washington, Feb 27 (Prensa Latina) Columbia and the US finally closed Monday morning in Washington their Free Trade Agreement talks after a 21month-long process, declared Colombian Trade Minister Jorge Humberto Botero.


Botero told press that agriculture will face a determined competition with the agreement, noting that sugar, fruits, dairy and meat products will have free access to the US market.



Likewise, the official stated all Colombian industrial output will have preferential access without restriction for American consumers.


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Vicente Duque