| Read what leading American newspapers are saying about the Latin trade promotion agreements:
''Today Peru's economy is growing 5% annually, but half its people still live on $2 or less a day. Engagement with the global economy, as neighboring Chile has shown, is the best path to prosperity, and American consumers also benefit from a lowering of barriers.''
--Los Angeles Times
''Since his first election in 2002, Mr. Uribe has rescued their country from near-failed-state status, doubling the size of the army and extending the government's control to large areas that for decades were ruled by guerrillas and drug traffickers. The murder rate has dropped by nearly half and kidnappings by 75 percent. For the first time thugs guilty of massacres and other human rights crimes are being brought to justice, and the political system is being purged of their allies. With more secure conditions for investment, the free-market economy is booming.''
--The Washington Post
''The larger goal is spurring development and improving the investment climate in all three countries. While Colombia and Peru have duty-free access to U.S. markets, that privilege must be renewed every few years. The FTAs end this uncertainty. Even if Latin producers lose some protection, new access to imports means they can use help from abroad to innovate and grow more competitive. This is how Chile became an export powerhouse and reduced poverty.''
--The Wall Street Journal
''Uribe's government has made major strides, persuading tens of thousands of combatants to lay down their arms. Murders and kidnappings, the tools of choice during the decades of lawlessness, have dropped dramatically. The result is a more stable country with a booming economy and a strong diplomatic relationship with the U.S. Moreover, Uribe stands for democracy and free markets on a continent that has veered sharply left toward state control.''
--The Chicago Tribune
''Thirty-eight percent of Peruvians indicated they were at least somewhat familiar with the proposed United States-Peru FTA. Among that group, more than three in four (78%) said they felt their country would gain jobs under the agreement.''
--Gallup News Service
''Public opinion polling in Colombia puts Uribe's current approval rating at 80 percent. It's no secret why. Uribe's tough law and order policies have dramatically reduced Colombia's chronic violence, much of it driven by the illicit cocaine trade. Foreign investment is returning thanks to improved security and Uribe's economic reforms. The resulting growing economy is putting Colombians back to work.''
--The San Diego Union-Tribune
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|  | |  | | Did you know?
| | | According to the American Farm Bureau, the Peru and Colombia Trade Promotion Agreements will increase U.S. farm exports by $1.4 billion. USDA estimates that for every million dollars of agricultural exports, 13 jobs are created. Therefore, once fully implemented, the Peru and Colombia agreements will provide over 18,000 new jobs due to increased agricultural exports.
--Agricultural Coalition for Latin America Trade
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| | | | Overheard
| | | ''New provisions in this FTA will also provide crucial, groundbreaking protections for our workers and for the environment. I look forward to Senate consideration of the agreement in the fall.''
--Senator Max Baucus, on U.S.-Panama FTA
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