"We are at a tipping point. If national leaders turn to protectionism for domestic political reasons, we'll likely see policies that do lasting damage to global trade flows" writes UPS CEO Scott Davis in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal.

Writing in Financial Times, AS/COA Chairman William R. Rhodes calls for countries to avoid protectionist measures at the upcoming Group of Eight summit and to back up the pro-trade rhetoric of the recent G20 meeting with concrete action.

A Canadia-Colombia free trade deal awaits parliamentary approval in Ottawa. Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin writes that, despite resistance among some members of Parliament, "Colombia needs a helping hand—not a cold shoulder."

The OAS' recent decision to allow Cuba to reenter its ranks was largely a symbolic vote, which detracted attention from the deeper hemispheric problems of poverty, inequality, and security.

With trade a hard sell in Washington these days, it's time for the White House to actively support a free trade agreement with Panama, argues COA's Eric Farnsworth in Poder. The election of businessman Ricardo Martinelli as Panama's new president demonstrates the country's commitment to global commerce as a means to economic growth.

Earlier this week, Colombian lawmakers approved a controversial referendum bill that paves the way for President Álvaro Uribe to seek a third consecutive term in office. While Uribe has not said whether he intends to run again, he has certainly done nothing to discourage the idea.

In this article for El Diario/La Prensa, AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini argues that, in the wake of the recent Summit of the Americas, concrete steps must be taken to capitalize on the good will created by the new administration’s fresh approach to its Latin neighbors. (en español | in English)