U.S. & Colombia Try to Resolve FTA Issues, Congress Urged to Renew ATPA/GSP
On March 17, 2011, the House Ways and Means Committee’s Trade Subcommittee held a hearing on the Colombia free trade agreement. One of the Administration's witnesses at the hearing noted that senior level U.S.-Colombia talks were being held from March 17-19 to try to resolve the Administration’s remaining concerns with the agreement.
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Chair Wants 3 FTAs by July 1, Ranking Member Wants Trade Agenda to Move Forward
At the hearing, Chairman Brady (R) continued to express his belief that Congress should consider the Korea, Colombia, and Panama FTAs by July 1, 2011, and that it is time to move forward on all three. Ranking Member McDermott (D) encouraged the Subcommittee to hold a mock mark up for the U.S.-Korea FTA (KORUS FTA) and to move ahead on other trade agenda items, without waiting for Colombia FTA issues to be resolved.
Deputy USTR Says Work Remains to Ensure Labor Rights in Colombia
In her written testimony prepared before the talks, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Sapiro noted that while the Administration has been encouraged by the actions Colombia has already taken, there is more that needs to be done to ensure that internationally-recognized labor rights are freely exercised.
Administration Urges Quick Renewal of ATPA and GSP for as Long as Possible
Both of the Administration witnesses, Sapiro and Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy & Agricultural Affairs Hormats, in their written testimony urged quick renewal of the Andean Trade Preference Act/Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPA/ATPDEA) and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for as long as possible.
(In addition to Administration witnesses, various private-sector witnesses also testified at this hearing.)
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/11/11 news, 11031105, for BP summary of Trade Subcommittee announcement that the focus of the first in a series of hearings on the pending FTAs would be Colombia.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/14/11 news, 11031437, for BP summary on U.S.-Colombia meetings earlier in March 2011.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/10/11 news, 11031026, for BP summary of USTR Kirk’s testimony on the 2011 trade agenda In which various Senators said that the three pending FTAs would not pass unless “packaged” and called for GSP renewal.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/11/11 news, 11031110, for BP summary of Senate Finance leaders’ request for technical discussions to begin on Colombia and Panama FTA bills.)
Hearing opening statements and written witness testimony available here