U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Reports from CRS
The Congressional Research Service has issued two reports on the proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement entitled “The Proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement” (RL34470) and “The Proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Labor Issues” (RL34759).
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The first CRS report provides a general overview of the CFTA and the status of its implementation. According to the report, the CFTA is awaiting Congressional approval of implementing legislation before it can enter into force.
The negotiations for the proposed CFTA were conducted under trade promotion authority, also called fast-track trade authority, which provides for expedited congressional consideration (no amendments and limited debate). Implementing legislation for the CFTA (H.R. 5724/S. 2830) was introduced under TPA on April 8, 2008; however, on April 10, 2008, the House voted to make the provisions establishing expedited procedures, inapplicable to the CFTA implementing legislation (H.Res. 1092). In March 2010, U.S. Trade Representative Kirk stated that the Obama Administration was developing a finite list of proposals to give to Colombia to resolve the issues blocking congressional approval of the CFTA. According to the report, there is currently no indication that the 111th Congress will consider implementing legislation for the pending CFTA.
Trade Unionist Violence, Worker Rights, and Impunity are Main Labor Issues
The second CRS report examines three labor issues and arguments related to the pending CFTA: (1) violence against trade unionists; (2) impunity (accountability for or punishment of the perpetrators); and (3) worker rights protections for Colombians.
The report notes that if Congress were to approve the CFTA, it would be the second FTA (after Peru) to have some labor enforcement “teeth.”
Proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, RL34470, dated 10/01/10, available here.
Proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Labor Issues, RL34759, dated 10/05/10, available here