AeA Urges President and Congress to Cooperate on Colombia FTA

The U.S. Free Trade Agreement with Colombia Expands Trade and Promotes Stability

Washington, DC (April 10, 2008) – Earlier today, the House voted to change the rules requiring action on the U.S. – Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) within 60 days under Trade Promotion Authority. This vote leaves the fate of the agreement completely up in the air while raising concerns about the impact this procedure will have on future trade negotiations and votes. Congress and the President have traditionally worked together in efforts to open foreign markets for U.S. companies, and this cooperation has been vital to the growth of the high-tech industry. AeA today urged President Bush and the Congress to come together and move forward in a constructive and cooperative manner toward approval of the Colombia FTA , as it is essential for U.S. business - and to the economy - that both sides find a way to rebuild that cooperative approach.

“AeA has consistently expressed its strong support for the Colombia FTA and we want to stress for both the Administration and Congress the importance of finding a path towards getting approval this year,” said Christopher Hansen, AeA’s President and CEO. “AeA believes that there are interests on both sides in actions that would benefit workers and business which could form the basis for a cooperative effort. In the end, the Colombia FTA will clearly benefit our member companies and we are concerned that the latest developments in the House will impede chances for a vote this year.”

Hansen continued, "We have a $1.47 billion tech trade surplus with Colombia. Passing the U.S. - Colombia FTA will help U.S. tech companies increase these surpluses. As part of the agreement, Colombia agrees to strengthen protection for intellectual property rights and to join the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), which eliminates tariff and non-tariff barriers to certain high-tech products. Ultimately, this helps create American jobs as it opens the Colombian marketplace to U.S. products and services."

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About AeA
AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 04/10/08.