Speaking at AS/COA’s annual Bogotá conference, Colombian Trade Minister Luis Guillermo Plata outlined his country’s progress in economic growth since President Álvaro Uribe came into office. Plata outlined strategies to boost economic liberalization.

In recent weeks, Ottawa proved its growing clout in Latin America through a visit from Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, the approval of a trade pact with Peru, and completion of free-trade negotiations with Colombia. 

In an article for Viewpoints Americas, AS/COA President Susan Segal writes that, while free trade and NAFTA have taken the blame for manufacturing job losses in the U.S. Midwest, trade accounts for a substantial portion of U.S. growth that supports Midwestern manufacturing and agriculture.

“Trade agreements are not gifts of the United States [to another country] but gifts that we give ourselves,” said U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab. In a period of economic uncertainty, trade is an important driver of re-energizing economic growth, she emphasized at the 2008 Washington Conference on the Americas.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez called for passage of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement and improvements in Cuba’s human rights at COA's annual Washington Conference on the Americas. He announced a May 21, 2008 White House event to “shine a spotlight” on political prisoners in Cuba.

At the COA's Washington Conference on the Americas, Secretary Rice underscored that there has “never been a time in modern history” when the U.S. relationship with the hemisphere has been so critical. U.S. friendship is not contingent upon any ideological position; rather, the administration is committed to working with countries in advancing key development issues.

In a speech at the 2008 Washington Conference, Secretary Gutierrez decried the changes taking place under Cuba’s Fidel Castro as “superficial.” He called for passage of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Read his remarks.