The new President-elect Barack Obama has completed what so many believed to be the impossible. He has become the first African-American President of the United States. He has promised an abundance of change and offered a new sense of pride and hope that has resonated throughout America and the world. Sadly, in the shadow of this ray of light, may be a very important promise that he cannot keep: the promise to maintain a hard stance against the Colombian Free Trade Agreement. During the dramatic presidential campaign, Barack Obama very clearly stated that trade agreements with Colombia, known for its abysmal human rights violations against unionists, would go no further. In the last presidential debate, Obama took a very hard stance against the passage of the CFTA due to Colombia’s continued targeting of trade unionists for assassination and the government's continued failure to prosecute the crimes.
The position was naturally well received; however, to maintain that position and block passage of the CFTA may prove to be an impossible mission for the Obama administration. The ties between the U.S. and Colombia are strong and the tariffs that would be lifted by the CFTA would only benefit our hurting economy. To put this dilemma in perspective, according to an October 2008 report from Office of the United States Trade Representative, 90% of Colombian imports into the United States were duty-free based on current trade arrangements and its position as a most favored nation. Presently, we do not enjoy such perks, but if the CFTA were to pass, 80% of all U.S. exports to Colombia would gain immediate duty-free access. This would be a clear relief to our struggling economy.
In addition to the benefits of tariff relief is the strong trade relationship between the United States and Colombia. Again, we must look at just how tight the trade ties are between these two countries. At 40% of its exports and 26.6% of its imports in 2006, the United States is Colombia’s largest trade partner. In turn, Colombia is the 5th largest export market in the Western Hemisphere (behind only the NAFTA countries, Brazil, and Venezuela) as well as the largest agricultural export market in the hemisphere after only the NAFTA countries. In 2006 U.S. exports to Colombia were $6.9 billion, imports were $9.6 billion. These numbers are tough to counter considering that the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotions Agreement passed in 2007 with much lower numbers. At almost half the level of Colombia, 23% of Peru’s exports enter into the U.S. and only 16% of the import market is U.S. goods. To compare actual dollars, in 2006 U.S. imports from Peru were $2.9 billion; from Colombia they were $9.6 billion. These numbers can only lead to one conclusion, we pay more for goods for which we have a higher demand, and do not have to if the CFTA were to pass.
Article comments
1 - Cannonshop
Up this long without a reaction?
2 - Glenn Contrarian
C-shop -
That's because we're worried about vastly more important things like the fact that both Bush and Obama wore blue ties when they met....
3 - Glenn Contrarian
And for Nikki -
Something I already knew - but had to relearn in order to get attention on BC - was that I needed to post on controversial topics on which there are two or more clearly different points of view (and the more hostile the points of view, the better). Also, I needed to choose a title that would catch the eye of the most argumentative...and make sure the first line or two of the post itself will grab and keep the reader's attention - again, controversy is the best tool with which to do so.
That's why I titled my most recent post: "The Patriotism of American Socialism". The title is not truly indicative of the body of the post, but I knew it would immediately raise the hackles of the most argumentative of the BC members and they would come a-callin', cocked, locked, and ready to rock.
BUT I AM AN AMATEUR and I know it. I'm not yet published (grrr...), yet here I am writing as if I know what I'm talking about. As far as I can tell, it looks like most of the members of BC - including yourself - are published, polished, more professional, and more qualified than I am. I feel my place on this blog is like the bat boy for a big league team (but not the Yankees - for me, that would be someplace like The Huffington Post).
I hope this helps - and I hope that my impertinence didn't offend you.
P.S. - For Eric O. - Thank you!
4 - keekster
I am always open to ideas that will help my articles get more attention. I appreciate the advice, however, my aim was not to spark controversy. The topic is controversial enough on it's own-only become more of a hot topic as the CFTA was one of the key points in the meeting between Bush and Obama yesterday. My aim was to inform people who may not know about this potential agreement between our two countries along with my own opinion on the matter.
5 - keekster (Nikki)
The Huffington Post is definitely is the Yankees of blogs, but I think we would give them a great game!
6 - Lisa Solod Warren
Cute, guys.
This IS an interesting piece. I have been trying to figure out how to respond. Mostly what I want to say is just NO, NO NO Columbian trade agreement. NO Quid Pro Quo with Bush.
Okay, there. Said it.
7 - keekster (Nikki)
Right on! However, Bush may win this one. Yesterday in his meeting with Obama, he held bail-out funds to the auto-industry ransom contingent on Obama's support of the CFTA. Now, I truly believe Obama to be a man of his many inspiring words, but entering into the White House after the collapse of a huge portion of the auto industry may not be a prudent decision for Obama if he can avoid it. I truly hope not-the people of Colombia deserve Unions and Human rights before we go any further!!!!!
8 - keekster (Nikki)
...and thank you very much for calling it interesting! :)
9 - Lisa Solod Warren
Nah. Obama won't do it. That is why he "leaked" Bush's "deal."
10 - keekster (Nikki)
Ah ha.....my instincts totally agree with you.
11 - Lisa Solod Warren
(Glenn, you noticed the blue tie thing, too, huh? And that they were almost exactly the same color? But did you notice how horribly Laura and Michelle's dresses clashed? Too bad they didn't call and say: What are YOU wearing?)
I HAVE work to do...............
12 - Glenn Contrarian
Lisa -
LOL! As much as I do believe Obama's going to take the country in a whole new direction, one can't help but think of the Who's line: "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!"