“A long list of U.S. business interests, from the American Farm Bureau to the Telecommunications Industry Association and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have made clear they support the worker assistance program and also fear that if the trade agreements don't win approval now it could be years. More than 70 percent of the world's purchasing power is outside the U.S., according to the Business Roundtable. Competitors are inking free trade agreements right and left. The U.S. is already losing ground and risks being shut out of growing markets if the U.S. government remains paralyzed by partisanship.… On balance, the trade agreements look like a good deal for Kentucky.”

 

“For too long, politics has prevented the United States from concluding free-trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea. With a compromise within reach in negotiations between the White House and congressional Republicans, both sides should seize the moment to set aside partisan differences in the interest of the economy and American leadership. Groups on both sides of the aisle will find fault with the pacts and the trade assistance program compromise. But this is the best chance to finalize agreements that will reassert U.S. commitments to allies and free trade while giving a needed boost to the economy.”

 

“The U.S. economy needs swift approval of the pending free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Compromise is an inherent part of governing in a representative democracy. Even in today’s contentious political environment, we must depend on our leaders to find common ground and, in this case, quickly resolve an impasse that threatens to undermine our engagement with the world economy. The reward would be the creation of new jobs and opportunities for workers and businesses across the country.”

 

“The fact is that the Korea, Colombia and Panama deals — both in their original form and as tweaked under Mr. Obama — are good legislation on their merits. Their approval would mean more jobs, both here and overseas, and a freer, fairer and more prosperous world. Delays have already cost Americans billions of dollars in missed opportunities.”

 

“It (the resolution of the U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking dispute) brings the North American Free Trade Agreement to a satisfying, if tardy, conclusion at a time when ratification of other trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea is delayed in Congress… NAFTA has not been a painless process. But it has laid the foundation for improved living standards among its members. The trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea will do the same, and deserve congressional ratification, now that the trucks are hitting the road.”

 

“Statistically, this nation may be two years into a recovery, but that is no comfort to millions of unemployed Americans and millions more stuck in part-time or temporary jobs. That is why it is imperative for President Barack Obama and members of Congress — even as they negotiate to raise the debt ceiling and, let’s hope, put the federal government on a sustainable fiscal course — to come together around policies and initiatives that will spur immediate job creation. Here are three: Ratify the U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement. Ratify the U.S.-Panama free trade agreement. Ratify the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement.”

— The Plain Dealer (OH) editorial, “Pass trade agreements — now,” July 9, 2011

 

“A long list of U.S. business interests, from the American Farm Bureau to the Telecommunications Industry Association and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have made clear they support the worker assistance program and also fear that if the trade agreements don't win approval now it could be years. More than 70 percent of the world's purchasing power is outside the U.S., according to the Business Roundtable. Competitors are inking free trade agreements right and left. The U.S. is already losing ground and risks being shut out of growing markets if the U.S. government remains paralyzed by partisanship.… On balance, the trade agreements look like a good deal for Kentucky.”

 

“Time is running out for Congress to pass three important trade agreements before lawmakers adjourn in August. If the measures aren’t approved by then, their chances are iffy as the political climate heats up. That means the U.S. economy could lose the benefits of freer trade with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. With the U.S. economy hovering close to recession, Congress should pass the trade deals as well as the agreed-upon worker aid compromise.

 

“America desperately needs jobs. Republicans and many Democrats in Congress, along with President Obama, say that the pending trade promotion agreements between the United States and South Korea, Colombia and Panama will help create employment in this country… On Friday, as Washington dithered, a free-trade agreement between the European Union and South Korea took effect. In other words, German, French and Italian workers got a head start in the race for those jobs you’ve been hearing so much about.”

 

“The trade agreements would boost American exports and help create more American jobs. More trade would also, inevitably, mean that some American workers would lose their jobs. Continuing the expanded adjustment assistance means those workers would receive income support, a health insurance subsidy and training to help them find other jobs. The deal is a good one. Both parties should support it and move on.”

 

“Advancing three long-pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea: The non-partisan, independent International Trade Commission estimates that economic activity will increase by about one percent of gross domestic product (GDP) as a result of these agreements, which equates to about 250,000 new jobs for American workers. The committee has convened a series of hearings focused on advancing each of these agreements and acted swiftly to make clear to the Administration that we need meaningful action in July to advance these job-creating agreements.”

  

“Eighty percent of the world’s purchasing power lies outside the U.S., and if we don’t tap those markets, others will… In conclusion, keep in mind that increased international trade opportunities are not enough to reverse our fortunes. But it would be a great start.”

 

“Florida’s economy badly needs the trade deals. With a key economic engine, real estate, still in neutral, foreign trade could boost commerce and services at a time when Florida’s unemployment remains at double-digit levels. There’s a strong, long-term argument for the deals, too. Florida stands at a geographically advantageous spot. Once titan-sized cargo ships start crossing the widened Panama Canal, the state could reap a huge share of the freight business.”

 

“If anyone thinks the proposed free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea aren’t vital to American interests, consider these statistics from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: ‘Outside our borders are markets that represent 73 percent of the world’s purchasing power, 87 percent of its economic growth and 95 percent of its consumers. … One in three [U.S.] manufacturing jobs depends on exports, and one in three acres on American farms is planted for hungry consumers overseas.’ OK, so foreign trade is an essential ingredient in the U.S. economy. But why are these treaties needed? As the chamber explains: ‘Many foreign countries still maintain steep tariffs and other barriers against U.S. exports, while the U.S. market is largely wide open.’ These treaties would put American workers on a more level ‘playing field’ on international markets, helping grow U.S. employment — something that is badly needed with more than 9 percent of the workforce unemployed.”

 

“Societies prosper when they allow citizens the freedom to buy from foreigners on the same terms as they trade among themselves. The few exceptions to this rule are misused by free-trade opponents more often than they are invoked correctly… To deny ourselves the benefits of free trade because of a cost we could easily pay out of those benefits would be penny-wise and pound-foolish.”

 

“There is no singular path out of the jobs morass. But one certain contributor to job creation would be to realize President Obama’s goal of doubling U.S. exports over a five-year period. This ambitious goal would have a much better chance if Congress passed free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. The usual partisan positioning has left these deals languishing, which hurts America’s economy, businesses and workers… Now is the time to act on free trade, for all three countries. America can compete with the rest of the world, and with the stakes so high, there’s no time to waste.”

 

“…most Republicans and Democrats claim to agree on the benefits of the trade pacts. First, all three potential partners, especially South Korea and Colombia, are regional allies that both deserve and need the diplomatic backing that free trade with the United States would symbolize. Second, the agreements are likely to prove a net plus for the U.S. economy when jobs are in short supply. And, third, if the United States fails to forge closer trade ties with these countries, competitors in Europe, Asia and the Americas will gladly take up the slack… Unless this impasse breaks, the collateral damage could include previously uncontroversial legislation that has long promoted U.S. trade with other developing countries but has lapsed pending resolution of the dispute over South Korea, Colombia and Panama. It could take months or years to undo the resulting harm to the economy and to the reputation of U.S. trade policy.”

 

“For many years supporters of the Colombia agreement have worked hard for a treaty that ought to have qualified as a no-brainer… Other countries are proceeding with free-trade agreements with South Korea [Colombia, and Panama]; if their programs took effect before America acted, the consequences would not be happy for the United States. The question has progressed too far for lawmakers to blink.”

 

“Democrats and Republicans must quickly forge a reasonable compromise to save the accords, which would boost U.S. exports by an estimated $13 billion a year. The pending deals are with South Korea, Panama and Colombia, and dithering over their terms has gone on for years… time is of the essence. If the trade deals aren’t approved by the August recess, the chances become increasingly dim as the election season approaches. It’s time for both sides to compromise, or risk losing markets to foreign competitors.”

 

“Significantly, Colombian products already are duty-free when they enter the United States. The proposed trade deal would remove Colombian tariffs from most American exports. In other words, the U.S. economy already is losing out on a one-way deal that truly does benefit only Colombian workers. By ratifying the deal, the Senate would open Colombia to more U.S. manufacturers.”

 

“The U.S. has 17 free trade partners now, and 18 million U.S. jobs depend on trade with those countries. A recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce study found that 5.4 million jobs were created solely because of the pacts. U.S. export gains — like that monster Boeing aircraft order — are particularly pronounced in countries with recent free trade pacts, notes U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president John Murphy. As for trade deficits, 2010 marked the third year in a row in which the U.S. has run a manufactured goods surplus in excess of $20 billion with our 17 free trade partners, Murphy noted… The more free trade, the better.”

 

“If Congress approves these agreements, the United States will ultimately have free trade for U.S. beef with approximately two-thirds of the population in the Western Hemisphere… Failure to implement the pending free trade agreements sends the wrong message to major export markets like China and Russia – markets with tremendous potential but limited or nonexistent access. That demand will be met, why not with American beef?”

 

“Agriculture is one bright spot in our trade deficit picture. Opening up new markets and sustaining exports markets that we already have is not only important to every farmer and rancher in the region, but also to the economic health of the United States. We cannot afford to have these trade agreements shelved and collecting dust any longer. Congress and the Obama Administration need to take them out of storage, dust them off and get them implemented as soon as possible. A four-year wait is long enough – now it's time for action!”

 

“Bipartisan support is building in Congress to pass long-delayed free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama. For the good of the U.S. economy and as a sign of U.S. leadership on free trade, the Obama White House should support efforts by congressional leaders in both parties to ratify those agreements as quickly as possible.”

— San Antonio Express-News editorial, “Move swiftly on free trade deals: Obama should seize on bipartisan support for economic growth,” May 11, 2011

 

“For the record, the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board supports the free trade agreements that await approval in Congress, including… one with Colombia. We think each would benefit the United States and Florida, and we’ve long supported those pacts… The expansion of the Panama Canal could also steer much of that trade toward ports in South Florida. It’s a propitious time for Florida’s congressional delegation, which represents a region that gets much of its traffic from Atlantic and Caribbean commerce, to support broader business with Asian and Pacific markets. Who could argue that the Sunshine State doesn’t need the extra business?”

 

“…It is good to see the Obama administration championing freer trade. Last week, the United States and Colombia announced a deal that will improve, and we hope finally win passage of, a 2006 trade agreement signed during the Bush administration. The amended version will strengthen worker protections in Colombia while boosting American exports.”

 

“Bogota has committed to restore land to people displaced by conflict, increase state protection of union members and increase prison sentences for those convicted of killing them. It will change its criminal code to penalize with up to five years in prison anybody who interferes with workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively… These agreements [with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea] are good for the American economy and good for national security. Congress should waste no more time and approve them.”

 

“Colombia is South Florida’s second-largest trade partner (after Brazil), with $6.86 billion in total trade in 2010. A free trade agreement facilitates commerce between the two countries and will have a positive economic impact on this community. Approval of the agreement would also help U.S. exports to Colombia. Last year, those tariffs averaged 15 percent, but a free trade agreement would mean 80 percent of all goods traded back and forth would become duty-free immediately. It’s a win-win deal.”

“Last week’s news of progress on that front is encouraging. Colombia and the United States have reached a deal on changes to a pending free-trade pact, under which Colombia pledged to toughen protections for labor organizers…. President Barack Obama has said he wants to double exports, a worthy aspiration. To make it happen, Washington will have to pry open more overseas markets. Approving these agreements would be a big step in that direction.”

“Both trade pacts[, with Colombia and Panama] would make it easier for American companies to sell goods there that they make in the U.S. American-made goods face steep duties in Colombia and Panama, though exports from those countries are allowed in the U.S. duty free. These trade pacts would equalize the treatment, to the benefit of U.S. companies and workers.

"“The announcement by USTR is very welcome news and puts Panama and the United States on a clear path to finalize a trade agreement that will promote economic growth and development between our countries and expand job opportunities for Panamanian and American workers…We look forward to working closely with the Obama Administration and Members of Congress to pass the U.S.‐Panama Trade Promotion Agreement at the earliest possible opportunity to begin realizing the excellent economic benefits it offers both countries."
        — Juan Carlos Varela, Vice President and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Panama, Press Release, April 18, 2011

"There is support on both sides of the aisle for TAA and for the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. But we will not realize the jobs and opportunities that the Colombia agreement and TAA have the potential to create if Washington fails to act. We need to restore a broadly shared bipartisan consensus on trade. We cannot do that if we do not treat our friends in the hemisphere with the respect they deserve as neighbors and allies, or if we ignore the needs of American workers adjusting to an increasingly globalized economy. It's time for Congress—and our country—to get back in the game."

 

"Why would the White House tolerate a situation in which our firms are taxed at the Colombian border on their goods, while our European competitors are not?"

"POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS: Although the panel is largely non-partisan, a three-to-one majority of top economics bloggers believes the government is too involved in the economy. The top policy recommendation (selected from a small set of choices) is for the government to “approve trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama,” with 97 percent support. This pales compared to the consensus against the proposal to “suspend foreclosures.”

        — Key Finding section of the Kauffman Economic Outlook: A QUARTERLY SURVEY OF LEADING ECONOMICS BLOGGERS, October 2010

 

"The U.S. government knows very well that for us it's very important. Today, it's a rather irrational situation where our goods are coming into the U.S. market with no tariffs. And your goods are coming into our market with tariffs. And you're the ones who are saying no to a free-trade agreement. Is that what you want? It doesn't make a lot of sense. We want a more mature relationship, instead of simply being recipients of aid. We want to play a more important role in the region. Colombia in a couple years will be the third most important country in Latin America. We will surpass Argentina. We'll have Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. Colombia has had a tradition with the U.S. of a strong alliance. We can work with the U.S. in areas like climate change. We are the richest country in the whole planet in biodiversity per square meter. We are the third richest country in the world in water. We want to change the agenda. We want the social agenda to be a priority, with other issues besides drug trafficking and violence."
        — President Juan Manual Santos of Colombia, September 28, 2010

 

"There are 600 trade agreements being worked on right now around the world, and I think the U.S. is focused on single digits–which gives you an idea of the market share we're losing because we don't have the same deals as we come into big markets as other countries do… So this is a real call to action…I understand there are political issues associated with getting these done, but it is worth the candle to figure out a way to surmount those. The export council, is not only pushing the White House to get the Korea deal done, but Panama, and Colombia, and beyond that.
        — Jim McNerney, Boeing Co.'s Chief Executive and the President's Export Council's Chairman, September 16, 2010

 

"Failure to approve these existing agreements is not only a poor economic strategy, it is a poor foreign-policy strategy. It erodes confidence and goodwill between America and its trading partners. We run the risk of losing important inroads into other growing economies – a move that could cost American families untold billions in wealth creation."

        — Congressman Tom Price (D-GA6), August 30, 2010

 

"It certainly has not always been easy, but thinking back over the last 30 years, the progress has been astounding, and it is time our regional policies reflected this. Embracing these free trade agreements is an important step for us to achieve this goal. They will help to cement our regional partnerships and make important strides in shifting the story of the U.S. in Latin America from conflict to engagement, from division to empowerment."

        — U.S. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut, July 30, 2010

 

"The delay has in fact cost jobs. The House Ways and Means minority staff reports that in the nearly three years after the U.S. and Colombia signed their pact (the one still sitting in Congress), Colombia ratified a deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Since then, the U.S. has lost 31% of its share of the Colombian market in products such as wheat and corn, while Colombia's new trade neighbors have increased their share by 22%. Canada just approved its own Colombia deal, guaranteeing its products instant advantage over ours. The administration seems to be waking up to some of this."

        — The Wall Street Journal, July 02, 2010

 

 

"Mrs. Clinton described Colombia as a reliable close ally of the US and promised Washington will continue as "a strong partner" of Colombia in the struggle against guerrillas and narco-traffickers.  "United States will continue to support the Colombian people, the Colombian military, and their government in the ongoing struggle against the insurgents, the guerrillas, the narco-traffickers who would wish to turn the clock back," she said.Mrs Clinton added that bi-partisan US congressional support for the so-called Plan Colombia "has been an essential part of the success the Colombian people and this government have achieved" in dealing with security threats. The plan is "fully embraced" by Obama, she added."

        — Merco Press, June 02, 2010

 

"If the FTA is implemented, Colombia will immediately eliminate tariffs on 81.8 percent of U.S. exports and phase out other remaining tariffs. Colombia already has duty-free entry for some 80 percent of its exports into the U.S. under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, so the FTA would mainly improve U.S. companies' ability to export to Colombia, Mr. Cadena noted."

        — Global Atlanta, August 21, 2009

 

"American workers are understandably anxious. Their incomes went nowhere through six years of economic growth. Many are losing their jobs as the economy slips into recession. Yet concern about workers' plight should not lead Congressional Democrats to reject the trade agreement with Colombia. This deal would benefit the American economy and further the nation's broader interests in Latin America."

        —The New York Times, April 12, 2008

 

"A vote for the Colombia deal would show Latin America that a staunch U.S. ally will be rewarded for improving its human rights record and resisting the anti-American populism of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez."
        —The Washington Post, March 31, 2008
 
"Colombia mostly sends us petroleum and coal, as well as coffee beans, cut flowers and clothing.  We sell them lots of oil-drilling equipment, construction machines, computers, corn and consumer goods…The dropping of tariffs of up to 20 percent would encourage Colombia to buy more Florida agricultural products, especially oranges and tomatoes."

        —Tampa Tribune, March 1, 2008

 

"The Colombia trade deal would remove duties on all U.S. farm exports and 80 percent of other U.S. exports to the South American nation."
       —Chicago Tribune, March 1, 2008
 
"Maybe the next president can get it done, but why wait? The United States and Colombia have signed a valuable, worthy trade pact. Get it done now."
        —South Florida Sun-Sentinel, February 22, 2008

 

"The trade deal with Colombia also would serve the broader national interest. It would put U.S. businesses and their workers, and U.S. farmers, on an equal footing with their Colombian counterparts, who have been given duty-free access to the U.S. market for years. It would strengthen ties with Colombia and enhance U.S. influence in Latin America at a time when it is being aggressively challenged by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez."
        —Orlando Sentinel, February 14, 2008
 
"Colombia is fighting a stubborn cocaine-fueled insurgency.  Its government has managed to hold a Marxist drug-fueled rebellion at bay and is a strong U.S. ally.  To leave them out of the trade partnership would be to betray a partner in democratic values… Congress should move quickly to pass the free trade pacts with Colombia and Panama and send Latin Americans the message that trade can lift everyone."
        —Corpus Christi Caller-Times, December 9, 2007

 

 "First, and foremost, the benefits of free trade are undeniable…  After years of democratization in the nations of Latin America, Venezuela — under cultish leader Hugo Chavez — has been turning toward collectivization.  Successful trade, one hopes, can only help to negate his status and foster market economies and greater freedom throughout the region."
       —The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts), December 9, 2007

 

"Ratification of the trade promotion agreement would help consolidate Colombia's progress by bringing jobs and income to its people… It's time for Democrats to drop their strained human rights objections to the Colombia trade promotion agreement and deal with it on its merits."
        —Washington Post, November 9, 2007
 
"A group of Democratic leaders from the Clinton administration and Congress recently sent a letter to Congressional Democrats pointing out that rejecting the trade agreements signed in Latin America 'would set back regional U.S. interests for a generation.'  Their argument also works on a bigger map.  It would be a folly for the United States to turn its back on trade."
        —The New York Times, November 7, 2007
 
''For Congress to now say that it is disgusted by the violence, particularly against one sector of the Colombia population, and to use that argument to undermine a free trade treaty, is a travesty.''
       —The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, October 29, 2007
 
''Few countries in the Western Hemisphere have shown as much improvement on human rights and international crime issues as Colombia, but Democrats threaten they'll kill that deal, too.  That would have the odious effect of keeping some Colombian farmers in the illegal drug business.  Reducing barriers to trade would give Colombian farmers a better incentive to sell legal agricultural products.''
       —The Detroit News, August 12, 2007
 
"Helping Colombia is in our national interest.  It's about helping our strongest friend in the region, not about catering to a domestic interest group.  Unless Congress wants to send a signal that the United States either doesn't care or doesn't know who its friends are — there are fewer every day — lawmakers should extend Mr. Uribe a helping hand instead of giving him the back of the hand."
       —Miami Herald, July 24, 2007

 

"Denying Colombia duty-free access to U.S. markets — and denying American exporters such access to Colombian markets — wouldn't improve human rights for the 44 million Colombians.  The trade agreement should be approved."
        —Chicago Tribune, June 23, 2007

 

"Offering the Colombians anything less than access to economic growth would be unfair and damaging not only to them, but to us.''
       —San Francisco Chronicle, June 13, 2007

 

"Now the Democratic-controlled Congress is balking at passing a painstakingly negotiated free trade agreement with Colombia.  This would be both a betrayal and a blunder — because free trade and economic growth are perhaps the only ways to help the country continue its progress from near-failed state to democratic government struggling toward a modicum of peace, prosperity and accountability after four decades of violence.  Colombians will view rejection of the agreement as a repudiation of their hard work and proof that U.S. protectionism trumps American promises about friendship, security and joint prosperity."
        —Los Angeles Times, May 26, 2007

 

"The twice-elected Mr. Uribe is the most far-sighted leader Colombia has had in decades, and his FTA is an attempt to align his country's future firmly with the hemisphere's free-market democracies.  Peru, Panama and Colombia are saying they want to be America's political and economic partners.  Do Democrats in Congress want to drive them into the arms of Mr. Chávez?"
        —Wall Street Journal, May 4, 2007

 

"On a continent where anti-U.S. sentiment has been rising, Colombia is America's most steadfast friend."
       —Chicago Sun Times, June 29, 2006