Waiting to Export

On November 22, 2006 the United States signed  trade pact with Colombia, an agreement designed to reduce tariffs, secure protection for intellectual property rights, and facilitate our ability to export American manufactured food, beverages and consumer products to the Colombian market.

Alas three years have passed and Congress has yet to ratify this agreement.  Inaction leaves U.S. businesses on the sidelines while foreign countries strike their own deals with Colombia and competitors gobble up market share.

The Colombian market holds great promise for the processed foods, beverages and consumer goods industry.  Over the past decade Colombia has seen tremendous strides in restoring peace and security to its citizens and is now one of the larger and more vibrant economies in the Western Hemisphere.

Our ability to expand into Colombia continues to be hindered by high tariffs, as much as 20 percent on most American produced food, beverage and personal care products.  Yet our market is duty free to most Colombian exports under U.S. preference programs.  Upon implementation of the trade agreement with Colombia, 80 percent of U.S. exports will receive immediate duty free treatment with all remaining products to be duty free over ten years.  The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement thereby remedies the imbalance and provides U.S. workers, manufacturers, farmers and businesses with equal access to the Colombian market.

Improvements in market access can boost American exports to Colombia and help stimulate the U.S. economy and job growth.  Yet despite dramatic rises in U.S. unemployment, Congress continues to sit idle on an agreement with so much potential.  Congress needs to act now and pass the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion agreement.  The U.S. food, beverage and consumer product companies directly and indirectly employs 14 million workers and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation's economy and we are waiting to export.

Urge your elected officials to ratify the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement