Contributions from Carin Zissis
The U.S. House of Representatives stalled the bilateral free-trade deal with Colombia, approving a rule change that waives a requirement to consider the agreement within 90 days. The future of the pact remains uncertain.
In an AS/COA Online Interview, COA Vice President and trade policy expert Eric Farnsworth discusses Congress' decision to delay consideration of the U.S.-Colombia free-trade agreement. He warns that a failure to approve the deal would undermine regional allies who support an open market democratic system.
President Bush signed documents to submit legislation for congressional approval of the U.S.-Colombia trade pact. The deal faces challenges in Congress, despite loosening trade restrictions for U.S. exports to Colombia.