In Ottawa, Colombian President Builds Case for Free Trade Pact

Canadian Corner
June 12, 2009

President Uribe meets with Prime Minister Harper.

Colombian President Álvaro Uribe traveled to Ottawa this week to meet with the Canada's Prime Minster Stephen Harper. Legislation to ratify a Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement now sits before the Canadian House of Commons. Harper believes free trade is vital to the international efforts against the global recession and called on Parliament to ratify the Colombia free-trade deal as soon as possible, arguing that Canada’s implementation would send a strong signal to the forces of “creeping protectionism” alive and well in the U.S. Congress.
 
Canada's trade strategy continues to emphasize new trade deals to combat our current economic challenges, opening doors of trade with our hemispheric partners and elsewhere in the world. A new trade deal with Peru is before the Canadian Senate. On top of Canada's Latin America focus, Canada signed trade pacts with the European Free Trade Association at the end of April and trade talks are underway with the European Union.

Uribe, who addressed the House of Commons’ International Trade Committee, is also looking beyond the borders of his own country, viewing free trade as a means to improve the Colombian economy and establish a closer relationship with North America. Both Harper and Uribe count on Liberal support. The Colombian president reminded Canada’s Opposition Liberals that they have supported free-trade initiatives in the past. There has been growing resistance to the deal from human rights activists, unions, and some opposition Liberals. Uribe pointed out that the deal would help Colombia integrate into the global economy, allowing their country to leave behind past human rights abuses. Colombia is seeking to strengthen its democracy while it battles drug trafficking and organized crime. Free trade is the best way to accomplish this goal. That is why Colombia needs a helping hand—not a cold shoulder.

Some reports now suggest the Liberals will eventually support the deal, but the legislation is not expected to pass until at least the fall.

Senator Pamela Wallin, Canada
Advisor to AS/COA on Canadian-U.S. Affairs

Access a press release about the Colombian president's trip to Canada.

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