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Colombia Gets a U.S. Trade Treaty It May No Longer Need

By Eric Martin and Blake Schmidt

"The delay in passing this [trade agreement with Colombia] called into question the United States’ reliability as a partner," says COA's Eric Farnsworth.

The Colombia that finally won a free-trade agreement with the U.S. on Oct. 21 is vastly different from the one that entered negotiations seven years ago. Back then the besieged government was grappling with powerful drug cartels and launching an offensive against leftist guerrillas who had been encroaching on the capital. With U.S. military aid, Colombia experienced an economic renaissance. Yet Colombia’s revival is benefiting U.S. economic and political rivals as much as or more than the U.S. itself.

The long delay in signing the treaty allowed Latin America’s fourth-largest economy to strengthen ties with China. It also damaged U.S. credibility in the region, says Eric Farnsworth, vice-president of the Council of the Americas in Washington. “The delay in passing this called into question the United States’ reliability as a partner,” Farnsworth says. “There’s a strategic component to this. It’s not just about economics and trade.” In response, the U.S. feels considerable advantages remain. Says Nkenge Harmon, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative, “Now that the Congress has passed and President Obama has signed the trade agreements [with Panama and Korea as well], we are intent on getting this phase right.”

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