POLICY ISSUES

AACCLA is a strong advocate of policies that facilitate free trade and economic development in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The AACCLA Secretariat in Washington, DC serves as a liaison between the private sector and the U.S. Government and lobbies to improve trade relations within the hemisphere by:

meeting with U.S. Congress members and congressional staff, Administration officials, and foreign government representatives;
testifying before key U.S. congressional committees;
hosting business conferences featuring key players on international trade;
generating support from the U.S. business community; and
providing research and analysis for educational purposes.

AACCLA forms its policy objectives through constant dialogue with its network of 23 AmChams in almost every country in Latin America. These consultations enable AACCLA to identify the most important issues to U.S. investors and their trading partners and to lobby effectively for policies that will address these concerns. In this section you will find information on policy issues affecting trade and investment in the hemisphere.

Issue	Description
Cuba	The United States has maintained an embargo on trade with Cuba since October 1960. Implemented to pressure the Castro regime to democratize, the sanctions have proved ineffective. AACCLA supports efforts to reexamine U.S. policy towards Cuba and economic engagement with the island nation.
Generalized System of Preferences	The Generalized System of Preferences extends duty-free treatment to around 4,000 products from approximately 140 beneficiary countries in the developing world. President Bush signed the legislation on December 21, 2006, which continues the GSP program for two years until December 31, 2008. This is the first time since the GSP program was created in 1974 that it has been extended without a lapse.
Intellectual Property Rights	AACCLA and its member AmChams are continuing to work to raise awareness among business and government leaders of the economic threat posed by counterfeiting and piracy. Our aim is to educate lawmakers, media, and businesses on the growing economic threat of counterfeiting and, indeed, to re-brand the problem; these are not "victimless" crimes.
North American Competitiveness Council (NACC)	Recognizing that private sector participation is a key element to enhancing North America's competitive position in global markets and is a driving force behind innovation and growth, in March 2006 the Leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United States established the NACC. The creation of the NACC not only provides a voice for the private sector, it also engages them as partners in finding solutions.
North American Free Trade Agreement	Since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) entered into force in 1994, trade between the United States, Canada and Mexico has more than tripled. From 1993 to 2007, trade of goods between the three countries rose from $293 billion to $909 billion. Each day, the three North American countries conduct well over $2.5 billion in trade.
Trade Facilitation Initiative	Trade facilitation consists of measures to make the flow of international commerce faster, cheaper, and more efficient by streamlining the administration of ports and customs. Trade facilitation measures fall into four categories: port efficiency; customs procedures and requirements; the overall regulatory environment; and automation and e-business usage.
Trade Promotion Authority	Formerly known as "Fast Track", Trade Promotion Authority allows the President to negotiate trade agreements and present them to Congress for approval (or rejection) without amendment. TPA expired on July 1, 2007.
U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement	After an aggressive lobbying campaign led by AACCLA, the U.S.-Chile FTA was signed by President George W. Bush on September 3, 2003 and implemented on January 1, 2004. The FTA offers significant benefits to producers, consumers and workers in both countries. AACCLA and AmCham Chile are currently monitoring its implementation.
U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement	On February 27, 2006, the United States and Colombia announced that they had concluded their negotiations for the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. AACCLA, the U.S. Chamber, and the Latin America Trade Coalition are actively pushing for a vote on the agreement in 2008.
U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement	In terms of the flow of trade liberalized, DR-CAFTA created the largest new FTA market in a decade. Together, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua are now on par with France and Italy as a market for U.S. exports.
U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement	The agreement between the United States and Panama will expand trade between the two countries, eliminate tariffs and other barriers to goods and services, and promote economic growth.
U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement	On December 14, 2007, the U.S. Congress approved implementing leggislation for the U.S.- Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.