“When you look at the statistics, we have lost jobs to China and India—countries where we do not have a freetrade agreement. So, it is not the free-trade agreements that cause the problem.”
On December 12, AS/COA held the 6th Annual Latin America Conference , which examined regional politics, trade and economic reforms after the heaviest election year in Latin American history. The event, which also analyzed the future of U.S. policy in Latin America after the U.S. mid-term election, featured a keynote address by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Thomas Shannon.
In testimony to U.S. Congress, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth offered support for the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.
On August 4, 2005 Colombian President Alvaro Uribe visited President Bush at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
Some fascinating things are happening in the South American nation of Uruguay that should catch the attention of policymakers in Washington. If they don't, we run the risk of missing a historic opportunity to re-orient hemispheric relations in a manner consistent with strategic U.S. interests.
Ideally, the nations of the Andes would be parties to a single free trade agreement with the United States that would go into effect the day after the trade and drug agreement expires.
To be effective, a special envoy must have the full confidence of the president, but must also be able to work cooperatively with the bureaucracy. Together, the relationship must be truly symbiotic.