It’s time to pass the Colombia free-trade agreement

Recently, Rep. Dave Camp 
(R-Mich.), who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, joined with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and a bipartisan delegation of members of Congress on a trip to Colombia to discuss the pending trade agreement between the U.S. and Colombia. Both Camp and Hoyer released statements after their trip that signaled new hope for the passage of this critical free-trade agreement (FTA).

This was just the latest sign of bipartisan support for passage of not only the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, but also FTAs pending with South Korea and Panama. Earlier this month Democratic Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) penned an opinion piece where they said, “Let’s be clear: Trade is critical to American innovation and economic growth. It can expand opportunity for workers and entrepreneurs, both at home and abroad.”

{mosads}Free trade shouldn’t be a partisan issue, and both chambers should act to pass all three of the pending FTAs. Immediate action is needed because free trade is critical to growing the American economy and creating jobs. 

While all three of these agreements should be passed, the Colombia agreement in particular stands out.

The case for the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement is simple and straightforward. Today, almost all of Colombia’s exports enter the United States duty-free, while both agricultural and non-agricultural American products exported to Colombia face tariffs. The agreement with Colombia would open a significant new export market for the U.S. and level the playing field for American businesses, farmers, ranchers and workers. 

Indeed, Washington’s failure to pass the Colombia agreement has already cost American businesses and workers close to $1 billion in tariffs on U.S. exports to Colombia. Passing this agreement, which was originally signed more than five years ago, would have an immediate and powerful positive impact on our economy. According to an article in Businessweek, economists predict that passage of the Colombia Free Trade agreement could boost U.S. gross domestic product by $2.5 billion a year and could raise U.S. exports by $1.1 billion.

Many American companies across many different sectors would benefit from passage of the Colombia agreement, from industrial companies like Caterpillar Inc. to retail companies like Wal-Mart to American farmers and ranchers. Opening up the Colombian market to American imports will help a wide variety of American businesses and exporters.

Currently, most Colombian products enter the U.S. duty-free. Indeed, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, in 2007 “over 90 percent of Colombian products entered the United States duty-free under our most-favored nation tariff rates and various preference programs, such as the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).” The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement will level this playing field. With ratification of this agreement, more than 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial goods will receive the same duty-free treatment in Colombia. 

It is a testament to their strength and ingenuity that American manufacturers can remain competitive and continue to export goods to Colombia while facing these hurdles. However, by unbinding our manufacturers’ hands, the Colombia FTA will enable American producers to create many more, well-paying jobs for the people of U.S. still struggling under the burden of uncertain economic times. In addition, passage of the Colombia agreement would strengthen peace, democracy, freedom and reform in Colombia; promote economic growth and poverty reduction; and anchor our longstanding ties with a vital regional ally.

Colombia has been our strongest ally in a volatile and strategic region. Colombia’s leadership has done everything we have asked them to do to facilitate passage of this agreement. Passing this agreement will go a long way to show our support for the Colombian people and for Colombia’s pro-American leadership.

No matter how any member feels about previous FTAs including the North American Free Trade Agreement or the Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, there is no question that the Colombia Free Trade Agreement is good for America, good for American workers and will benefit our national security interests.

Davis, a former representative for the Commonwealth of Virginia (R), is president of the Republican Main Street Partnership.