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.

Philippe Legrain, a journalism fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, writes that: "The Democratic rivals have bought into most of the myths that have been peddled about the agreement and have placed their opposition to NAFTA at the center of their campaigns. Here's some information that could help them update their stump speeches."

AS/COA hosted a conversation with Asst. Secretary Thomas A. Shannon, who outlined U.S. policy for the Americas. Read a transcript of his remarks.

More than sixteen months after its signing, the U.S.–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement is now in the hands of the U.S. Congress.

While the U.S. presidential race sparks debate about NAFTA, officials spar over a U.S.-Mexico pilot trucking program. Critics raise fears about Mexican truckers on U.S. roads, but the Department of Transportation finds the project benefits U.S. truckers and trade.

The White House has stepped up efforts to gain approval for the U.S.-Colombia trade deal. But the Bush administration could face a battle in Congress.