AeA Report Calls for Enacting Free Trade Agreements with
Colombia, Panama, and Peru
The Region Is a Leading Destination for U.S. High-Tech Exports

Washington, DC (June 13, 2007) – AeA, the nation’s largest high-tech trade association, today released the 16th edition of its ongoing Competitiveness Series. The report analyzes the importance of Central and South America as a leading destination for U.S. high-tech goods and the need to pass the pending Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and Peru.

“Central and South America are vital trading partners for the United States,” said Rob Mulligan, AeA’s Senior Vice President International. “In terms of high-tech goods, the United States held a $14 billion trade surplus with the region in 2006, nearly 25 percent larger than it was in 2000. We need to continue to open markets with our southern neighbors by enacting the pending Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and Peru and by working with other countries in the region to lower barriers to trade.”

In 2006, the United States exported $17.1 billion of high-technology products to the countries of Central and South America; combined, this makes the region the fourth largest destination for U.S. tech exports, ahead of the individual countries of China and Japan. Between 2005 and 2006, U.S. high-tech exports to Central and South America rose by 20 percent.

High-tech imports from Central and South America declined by $200 million between 2005 and 2006, from $3.3 billion to $3.1 billion.

The report includes a four-page analysis of high-tech trade with the entire region as well as three two-page supplemental reports on high-tech trade with Colombia, Panama, and Peru.

All editions of the AeA Competitiveness Series can be freely downloaded at: www.aeanet.org/cs.

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About AeA
AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association with 2,500 member companies 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 http://www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 06/12/07.