Panelists shared predictions on the economic, financial, and trade outlook for the Americas in 2012, including growth rates and expanding ties with Asia.

President Obama's strengthening ties with Asia is understandable, but should not come at the expense of U.S. relationships in the Americas, argues COA's Eric Farnsworth for the Latin American Herald Tribune.

Council of the Americas and the Millennium Challenge Corporation held a panel discussion with representatives from the U.S. government and the private sector to share experiences, challenges, and lessons learned to promote trade and development for aid effectiveness in Latin America.

During the 2011 summit, Peru and Chile focused on expanding bilateral ties with Asian counterparts, while the United States pushed forward with the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations.

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

"My hope is today’s events will be the beginning of a renewed effort from the United States to engage in trade," says COA's Eric Farnsworth.

The U.S. House and Senate passage of bilateral free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama on October 12 clears the way for long-delayed implementation.