| Support from Coast to Coast:
America's Newspapers say ''Pass the TPAs!''
''The four trade agreements [Peru, Colombia, Panama, and South Korea] would open more markets and customers in these countries to U.S. businesses, which already have trade with them. The new agreements would remove or lower many of the punishing tariffs that have limited exports to those countries....Even as they open and expand markets, they will lift up the poor by creating more good-paying (by their standards) jobs in Colombia, Panama, Peru and South Korea.''
-The Birmingham News, September 4, 2007
''Let's look at the impact international trade has on Illinois workers and businesses, and the potential impact of these trade agreements....[H]alf of Caterpillar's 49,000 U.S. employess depend on exports. Caterpillar exports more to Peru, Panama and Colombia then it does Germany or Japan. But its exports are subject to 12 to 15 percent tariffs in the three Latin American countries. If the trade pacts pass, those go to zero. That would mean more sales for CAT, which would support more jobs building bulldozers in East Peoria, wheel loaders in Aurora, and off highway trucks in Decatur.
-The Chicago Tribune, August 25, 2007
''Over all, trade has been very good to the United States, which is still the world's largest exporter of goods and services. The trade liberalization measures put in place after World War II produce now, by one estimate, an additional $1 trillion in income for Americans annually, and millions of new jobs.''
-The New York Times, February 2, 2007
''These agreements include enforceable labor and environmental standards....All four agreements require each country to follow whichever of seven global environmental treaties--banning trade in endangered species, for example--that country has signed, and these countries have signed most of them. All four agreements bind each country to follow the International Labor Organization's ban on forced labor and the most serious child-labor abuses, to support the rights of employees to organize and bargain collectively, and to be free from job discrimination.''
-The Seattle Times, August 15, 2007
''If passed, an FTA would further investment and growth, helping more Colombians climb out of poverty. If Congress does not act, the conflict in Colombia is likely to intensify, undermining bilateral efforts that are beginning to pay off. That would be a tragedy, particularly at a critical moment in defining the future U.S. role in the Americas. An FTA with Colombia as well as Peru and Panama, will underscore our commitment to help the region's people conquer poverty, achieve social justice and live their lives in peace.
-Miami Herald, June 5, 2007
''About 96 percent of the world's consumers live outside the United States. Ducking the competition and retreating into protectionism simply won't work. Full engagement with the world serves West Virginia far better....Economies are dynamic. Things change. The truth is, the state will benefit more from free trade than it could ever preserve with protectionist measures.''
-Charleston Daily Mail, September 3, 2007
''Every U.S. president since World War II, Rebublican or Democrat, has fought to reduce the kind of trade barriers that triggered the Great Depression of the 1930s. For its part, the Bush administration has followed the fine example set by its Democratic predecessor, Bill Clinton, by seeking approval of free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, Peru and Colombia.''
-The Denver Post, August 21, 2007
''Popular President Alvaro Uribe, now in his second term, has reduced violence by almost every measure, including murder, terrorist attacks, robbery and kidnapping. But Mr. Uribe knows law enforcement is not the only answer to his nation's ills. He wants to boost the economy through trade so Colombia's poor, who are the most vulnerable to terrorism, can participate in democratic capitalism.''
-The Wall Street Journal, July 5, 2007
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|  | |  | | Did you know?
| | | U.S. growers have been losing wheat market share in Colombia and Peru to Argentina and
Canada for several years. The FTAs will
level the playing field by ensuring U.S. wheat immediate duty-free access to these
markets. Upon full implementation, U.S. Wheat Associates expects these
two markets to double their total annual purchases to $400 million.
-U.S. Wheat Associates
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| | | | Overheard
| | | ''The best thing Congress can do this year to... [make America more competitive] is to pass the pending Free Trade Agreements....
The overwhelming majority of these countries' exports already enter the United States duty free while U.S. exports to these countries face significant tariffs. These four FTAs will level the playing field and open new export opportunities for American businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers.''
-Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, August 14, 2007
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