Reichert Travels to Colombia, Stresses Importance of Free Trade Pact

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) returned late Sunday evening from Colombia even more convinced that we need to pass a Free Trade Agreement with the South American country. Reichert was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation led by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab that visited the country to gather facts about the pending trade agreement between the United States and Colombia.

Reichert and members of the delegation held meetings with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, the country's Attorney General, former guerilla combatants that have been demobilized, members of the business community, displaced workers, and leaders of labor unions who support the agreement, as well as labor leaders who oppose it.

“In this time of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to enact measures that grow our economy and create jobs for American workers,” said Reichert.  “This trip gave me a firsthand look at what’s at stake in the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and I am convinced that it deserves broad support and swift passage in Congress.  Colombia is a success story. They have made tremendous strides in the security of their nation and are on the cusp of solving problems that previously seemed insurmountable. Furthermore, trade is absolutely essential to Washington State’s economy; we cannot afford to reject this carefully negotiated agreement and signal to the global community that America is no longer open to trade. This would tell the world that we are closed for business and put future trade agreements at risk.

Reichert continued, “Not only will this agreement bring fairness to American businesses and farms in our existing trade relationship with Colombia, but it will also support a critical ally in the region. Free trade agreements are a core component of our country’s diplomacy and security.  The Colombia FTA will bolster a nation that has stood tall as a beacon of democracy in the face of Hugo Chavez’s anti-American policies and that has worked alongside us to aggressively combat the illegal drug trade. The fact is they are beginning to succeed in implementing the “Plan Colombia” policy that President Clinton negotiated. This is the time to reach out and help Colombia turn the corner, not reject them and leave them behind. 

“There have been legitimate questions raised about this particular trade deal, and I was pleased the U.S. Trade Representative asked me to go along with her because I wanted to investigate and see for myself whether there was truth in the claims put forward by supporters and opponents of the FTA. Not only was I able to meet with citizens in the country who have a stake in this agreement, I was able to hear the questions of my colleagues who traveled with me and raised some of these concerns. While Colombia still has a way to go to finish protecting its citizens, I was very pleased at the answers we got on the progress they have made. Not only for their people, who have a fundamental right to peace, but for our people. If we want fewer drugs on our streets, we need to help Colombia. If we want less destruction of the rain forest, we need to help Colombia. If we want more stability in the region, we need to help Colombia.”

Congressman Reichert is a strong supporter of free and fair trade. During his time in Congress, he has:

§          Advocated for the passage of free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia, and Korea, which have the potential to bring billions of dollars and thousands of new jobs into Washington State’s economy;

§          Supported free trade agreements with Central America, Oman, Bahrain, and Peru;

§          Supported additional funding for Trade Adjustment Assistance, which helps workers whose jobs were displaced by trade;

§          Met with Treasury Secretary Paulson and Korean Ambassador Lee Tae-Sik to promote trade agreements that benefit Washington State; and;

§          He is a member of the House Trade Working Group to build support for pro-growth, pro-jobs trade initiatives.

Congressman Reichert was joined by House members Kevin Brady (R-TX), John Carter (R-TX), Phil English (R-PA), Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Jean Schmidt (R-OH). 

About the Colombia Free Trade Agreement

The U.S. - Colombia FTA was signed on November 22, 2006 in Washington, D.C.  On June 28, 2007, the United States and Colombia