Chrysler, Ford and General Motors Support U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 14:11:

It would be nice to see cheaper car prices in Colombia.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

Monpirri says on Apr 7, 14:13:

I support them too!

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 14:17:

Monpirri: Thanx , Colombia believes it a good deal, and has pressed hard and long for TLC.
I believe if it's good for Colombia, you support it , as anyone who loves Colombia wants Colombia
to progress.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 14:19:

These people also support it .

http://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachrichten/nachricht/2330326.html

http://news.ino.com/headlines/?newsid=20080407013568

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 14:22:

Paulson: Colombia free trade pact will pass by slim margin
By The Associated Press

Story Created: Apr 7, 2008 at 4:52 PM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 7, 2008 at 4:52 PM EDT
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says the Bush administration will have to fight for every vote on the proposed free trade agreement with Colombia. But he believes it will pass by a slim margin.

Paulson spoke today at the annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank in Miami Beach with Colombian Treasury Minister Oscar Ivan Zuluaga.

Earlier, President Bush sent Congress the controversial deal, forcing lawmakers to vote within 90 days. Democrats strongly oppose the proposal.

They say Colombia hasn't done enough to halt violence, protect labor activists and demobilize paramilitary organizations. The president says Colombia has addressed the issues.

If it passes, Zuluaga says his economy could grow by more than 1 percent.

The agreement would end the tariffs currently imposed on American goods shipped to Colombia.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

Monpirri says on Apr 7, 14:32:

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE U.S.-COLOMBIA TRADE PARTNERSHIP
Colombia is a proven partner of the United States in the Western Hemisphere because of its trade and investment potential; its democratic, free market values; and its unwavering fight against illegal drugs and terrorism.
· The U.S.-Colombia Trade Partnership will significantly enhance both Colombia's and the United States' strategic agenda of economic progress, stability, and security in the Andean region.
· The U.S.-Colombia Trade Partnership will significantly expand trade and employment in both markets, as Colombia is a commercially significant market and a complementary economy to the United States. It will transform a preferential trade relationship under ATPA into a reciprocal, permanent and comprehensive one.
· The U.S.-Colombia Trade Partnership will drive new investment opportunities for U.S. companies in both countries behind a more certain and predictable environment, enhancing their competitiveness and ability to keep jobs in the region.
· Political security and economic security are related and mutually reinforcing. The U.S.-Colombia Trade Partnership will strengthen bilateral ties and enhance Colombia's long-term economic and political security, a key strategic priority for the United States in the region.
· The U.S.-Colombia Trade Partnership will strengthen positive labor and environmental policies in Colombia and improve enforcement through more accountability and resources. It will further advance labor rights and the protection of environment with the development of new export-oriented industries, like Colombia's flower industry.
· Colombia concluded negotiations on a comprehensive trade agreement with the United States, including all relevant issues and economic sectors. The U.S.-Colombia Trade Partnership will further enhance U.S. efforts to advance regional and multilateral trade negotiations.

http://www.coltrade.org/fta/importance.asp

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

romy says on Apr 7, 14:40:

Is Colombia trade deal DOA? (http://video1.washingtontimes.com/fishwrap/2008/04/is_colombia_trade_d...)

After President Bush this morning sent his proposal for a free trade agreement with Colombia to Capitol Hill, Democrats quickly responded by saying it is likely to fail.

"By sending up the Colombia FTA legislation under circumstances that maximize the chances it will fail, he will be adding one more mistake to his legacy and one more mess for the next president to clean up," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, said in a statement issued just after Bush shipped his agreement to Congress. "Many Democrats continue to have serious concerns about an agreement that creates the highest level of economic integration with a country where workers and their families are routinely murdered and subjected to violence and intimidation for seeking to exercise their most basic economic rights. And the perpetrators of the violence have near total impunity."
Reid said Colombia "has undoubtedly made progress on this front," but maintained that "the level of violence against trade unionists is still the worst in the world."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voiced her opposition the agreement as well, saying she would not support it because it fails to promote human rights and give protections for union workers.

"President Bush's statement today regarding his unprecedented decision to send a free trade agreement to Congress without following established protocols of congressional consultation is counter-productive, jeopardizing prospects for its passage," Pelosi said in a joint statement with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, New York Democrat. "Despite progress made by President Uribe, Colombia remains a dangerous place to be a labor activist, and for those who commit these acts of violence, there is little threat of prosecution or punishment. Sustained progress on the ground remains a prerequisite for our support."

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, New York Democrat, today echoed Pelosi's opposition. Yesterday her campaign announced chief strategist Mark Penn was resigning amid furor over his meeting with Colombian officials as a private PR strategist hired to help the plan win approval.
"I oppose signing any trade deal with Colombia while violence against trade unionists continues and the perpetrators are not brought to justice," Clinton said in a statement issued by her presidential campaign today. "The United States should be pursuing trade agreements that promote human rights and worker rights, not overlook egregious abuses. I will vote against the president's Colombia trade agreement, and will urge my Senate colleagues to do the same."

White House spokesman Tony Fratto told The Washington Times that the trade agreement would equalize trade practices with Colombia by eliminating tariffs on most U.S. goods flowing to Colombia. Fratto said 80 percent of U.S. products entering Colombia face up to 35 percent while 90 percent of products entering the United States from Colombia are duty free. Fratto said the bill would "level the playing field" by giving duty-free access to 80 percent of U.S. products sent to Colombia.

Fratto said under the leadership of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe (pictured above), homicides have declined by 40 percent and murders of unionists have fallen by 80 percent since 20002.

"The improvement has been so dramatic as to make some of these criticisms fall flat if you look at the facts," Fratto said, dismissing Democrats' call for more progress. "There could not be a more one-sided trade agreement, maybe in the history of this country, of trade agreements ... I don't know what more of a commitment you can get than the President of Colombia's goal to get to zero [deaths]. He is firmly committed to it."

Fratto said if a congressional rejection of the agreement would have major repercussions on U.S. relations with South America.

"It will lead people to question the commitment of the United States to trade and to supporting our allies, so it would be a pretty awful development if that were to happen," said Fratto, who said no trade agreement "has ever been easy," and that he anticipates a lively tussle on the bill.

"What I would hope is that leaders within the House and Senate would let individual members cast their own votes on the agreement and that each member gets a chance to take a look at the facts," Fratto said. "If you are a member of Congress and a member of the House or Senate, you'll have a hard time voting against it because this is a trade agreement that has great advantages for American businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers."

— Carrie Sheffield, Web editor, The Washington Times
Posted on April 7, 2008 4:03 PM

Bluesdude says on Apr 7, 14:48:

From the words of an old gringo wino...... I hope it passes and that wine ( yum yum) is one of the things that will receive duty relief.

Bluesdude No Mas Gringas Por La Vida

Monpirri says on Apr 7, 14:48:

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE COLOMBIA-U.S. FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

Comments by U.S. Companies and Industry Associations

"A U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement is a very positive step in achieving a climate of liberalization throughout the hemisphere.A free trade agreement with Colombia will stimulate both passenger and cargo traffic between the two nations."

D. Scott Yohe
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs
Delta Air Lines


"A comprehensive and commercially meaningful U.S.-Colombia FTA will not only expand market access and create new commercial opportunities, it will create high-standard rules in key areas that can be instrumental in helping promote the rule of law and deeper economic growth and development. More importantly, closer economic ties between the United States and Colombia will facilitate efforts by both countries to combat illegal drug trafficking and address other national security issues of common concern."

Calman J. Cohen
President
Emergency Committee for American Trade


"A commercially-meaningful FTA that can expand upon the ATPDEA will be beneficial to U.S. apparel and footwear companies and their suppliers, U.S. consumers, and the countries of the Andean region. It can turn the current unilateral import preference program into a full-fledged and reciprocal export/import trade partnership."

Kevin M. Burke
President & CEO
American Apparel & Footwear Association


"As the leading U.S. financial group in Colombia, we believe that the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement will strengthen the Colombian economy. It will help create new trade opportunities and promote market liberalization, which will in turn stimulate employment and rejuvenate an economy adversely impacted by recession. In addition, the agreement will engender the economic growth necessary to support Colombia's democracy and consolidate its social stability."

Jorge A. Bermudez
CEO
Citigroup Latin America


"This far-sighted announcement will contribute directly to economic growth and support friends and allies in a strategically important region."
Bill Rhodes
Chairman
The Council of the Americas


"There is great opportunity in the Andean market for U.S. services suppliers in a range of sectors, and we are delighted that the U.S. is pursuing a free trade agreement with these countries. These countries have taken an active role in the WTO services negotiations; our pursuit of a free trade agreement will complement our cooperation in the multilateral setting."
Robert Vastine
President
U.S. Coalition of Service Industries


"As an organization with long-standing and keen business interests in the countries of the Americas, we remain committed to the growth, development and improvement in well-being of the people of all countries in our Hemisphere. Consistent with this, the realization of a Free Trade Agreement between our country and Colombia would be mutually beneficial and serve as an example to other countries on the continent of South America."
J.P. Morgan


"The U.S. is Colombia's largest trading partner, both in terms of imports and exports. Since the renewal of the ATPA, trade between the U.S. and Colombia is up 20 percent. In the region, Colombia is a leading importer of computers and related equipment. Colombia's Information Technology (IT) sector has experienced impressive growth and offered significant opportunity to the private sector over each of the past several years. A U.S.-Colombia FTA would strengthen the mutually beneficial trade relationship and economic partnership between our two nations."
Jack Krumholtz
Managing Director, Federal Government Affairs Microsoft Corporation


"This initiative (The U.S.-Andean Trade Talks) will allow U.S. manufacturers to quickly bring down some very significant barriers that currently impede our exports to the Andean region. It also should help us achieve very high standards to protect investment and intellectual property in that part of the world, and should facilitate the negotiation of the hemispheric-wide Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by getting these Andean nations and their private sectors on the same page as the United States."
Jerry Jasinowski
President
National Association of Manufacturers


"We have a tremendous opportunity to build a regional, integrated production platform for textiles and apparel by making these countries part of the Western Hemisphere FTA network. This system would allow manufacturers in the region and in the United States to compete effectively with Asian producers by linking countries like Colombia that have integrated textile industry to countries like Honduras that have strong apparel industry but limited local yarn and fabrics. Integration of this sort would be of great benefit also to U.S. fiber, yarn, and fabric producers, as well as apparel manufacturers, retailers, and ultimately the U.S. consumer."
Erik Autor
Vice President and International Trade Counsel National Retail Federation


"With respect to the pharmaceutical industry, it is important to highlight that the Colombian government has taken significant steps to improve the intellectual property environment. Specifically, President Uribe has passed Decree 2085 to protect the confidential test data of innovative pharmaceutical products. This action has not, for example, been followed in any other Andean country and demonstrates an important commitment by President Uribe and the Government of Colombia to shed Colombia's long-standing poor implementation of TRIPS."
Karen Katen
Executive Vice President
Pfizer Inc.


"The CEOs of the Business Roundtable support these negotiations to strengthen trade, economic and political ties between the United States and the Andean nations of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. In fact, two-way trade between the U.S. and these countries totaled close to $17 billion in 2002. These negotiations can help create new jobs and open new markets for U.S. products by addressing tariffs on goods and services."
John J. Castellani
President
The Business Roundtable


"SUA is committed to working with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to achieving a balanced trade agreement that will provide for a smooth transition to open markets. The Association believes that future agricultural and food trade between the two countries will be mutually beneficial."
Sweetener Users Association
November 18, 2003 Press Release


"UPS believes this agreement will create benefits for both the international market as well as the domestic market. In Latin America and the Caribbean, UPS provides service to more than 50 countries and territories through more than 335 UPS Customer Centers and operating centers and employs more than 6,000 people. Continuing to open trade barriers in this region will enable UPS to more easily facilitate the growing needs of trade."
Selina Jackson
Vice President, International Public Affairs
UPS


"The proposed free trade agreement is an opportunity to leverage the success of our trade ties to the Andean region. Since the Andean Trade Promotion Act was approved in 1991, U.S. trade with the four countries has nearly doubled, reaching $16.8 billion in 2002. It will create new markets for U.S. exporters and generate a broader range of business and job opportunities from Lima, Ohio to Lima, Peru."
Daniel W. Christman
Senior Vice President for International Affairs United States Chamber of Commerce


"At the end of the day, the goal is to truly integrate the business among all of the countries in this hemisphere. If these agreements include business-friendly, flexible origin rules that allow our members to draw upon the resources and value offered throughout the hemisphere to produce a quality product for the customer in the right time period and at the right price, everyone will win."
Laura E. Jones
Executive Director
U.S. Association of Importers of
Textiles and Apparel


"Colombia depends almost completely on imported wheat, and the United States and Canada are the largest competitors for their market. Colombia is an ideal candidate for an FTA with the U.S. because of its market size and, more importantly to the U.S. wheat industry, its vast potential."
Alan T. Tracy
President
U.S. Wheat Associates


"Dole plays an important role, particularly in Colombia, in the Andean flower industry, which has been a strong ally of the United States…Because duty free flower imports from the Andean region have a demonstrated track record of benefits for the U.S. floral industry, the U.S. economy, and U.S. consumers, coupled with Dole’s critical role in the U.S. and Andean floral industries, Dole strongly supports the effort to establish a U.S.-Andean FTA that includes duty free treatment for flowers."
John T. Schouten
President
Dole Fresh Flowers

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

Simon says on Apr 7, 14:58:

Good, I'm voting for them.

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

romy says on Apr 7, 15:05:

Simon, you are voting for the U.S. Companies and Industry Associations? or Chrysler, Ford and General Motors?

Simon says on Apr 7, 15:33:

I'll vote for anyone that wants to help out Colombia.

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 15:39:

Simon: votar dos veces para Colombia , because Colombia is twice as nice.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

tejasmarcos says on Apr 7, 16:20:

of course they do. international sales is the only area that those 3 companies are making decent profits in. i just read an article about GM and Brazil. i need to dig it up...

god is in your head

miamimike says on Apr 7, 16:39:

I like Colombia but until Prez Uribe conducts a more robust(bush's favorite adjective) investigation into the many deaths of Newspaper/radio journalists and Trade Unionists, I hope it(FTA) does not pass until we see this and fully support Senaator Clinton's recent Firing of her campaign Director for backroom dealings for FTA approval, which in its present form, she does not approve. Tampoco for Mr Obama as he doesn't approve of it either in current form!. Favoring or not favoring FTA, IMHO, has nothing to do with Love of Country. If anything, I would think those True Supporters of Col Democracy and Government transparency would welcome a through vetting of who was responsible for these Deaths. Lest we not forget, it was Bill Clinton, who in the 90s who signed into Law Plan Colombia and its billions of Aid to improve Colombia's current improved Security situation.

"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —President George W. Bush,

Simon says on Apr 7, 16:52:

Miamimike, Uribe said they're investigating as much as possible, why not take his word for it and look at his results? This 'too many union people are killed' attitude is nothing more than a bullshit excuse to give Colombia a hard time! The number of union people killed in Colombia has decreased greatly in the last few years.

I was disappointed to find out that both Obama and Clinton are anti-Colombian. I will not be voting for either now and I recommend other Colombians to do the same!

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

Simon says on Apr 7, 16:53:

Presidente Uribe pide a Congreso de Estados Unidos reconocer esfuerzos de Colombia en seguridad y contra la impunidad


Uribe Vélez señaló que así como en Colombia no se niegan los problemas, también en el Congreso estadounidense deben reconocerse los avances en seguridad, especialmente en cuanto a la protección de líderes sindicales y lucha contra la impunidad.

Segovia, Antioquia, 7 abr (SP). El Presidente �lvaro Uribe Vélez pidió al Congreso de Estados Unidos que, ahora cuando empieza a votar el Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) con Colombia, reconozca los esfuerzos que el país realiza en materia de seguridad para preservar la vida de todos los colombianos –en especial la de los líderes sindicales– y para superar la impunidad.

“Quiero hacerle llegar este mensaje al Congreso de los Estados Unidos: les ruego mirar los problemas presentes y la evolución favorable que viene experimentándose en Colombia. Frente a los problemas presentes, nosotros no los negamos, no los escondemos. Nosotros trabajamos diariamente para poder superarlos y es muy importante ver la evolución positiva que se viene presentando en Colombia�, sostuvo el Mandatario, al término de un consejo de seguridad en Segovia, Antioquia.

El Jefe de Estado señaló que los congresistas colombianos no pueden dejar de conocer los alcances de la política de Seguridad Democrática, especialmente cuando se habla de protección a la clase sindical y de combate de los delitos de mayor impacto.

En ese orden de ideas, reveló que en las últimas horas las autoridades capturaron a un hombre sindicado del asesinato de dos líderes sindicales del Putumayo.

“Tan pronto asesinaron a la maestra, con siete meses de embarazo, y al maestro, con cuchilladas y con disparos, el Gobierno Nacional sentó la más enérgica protesta y ofreció una recompensa de cinco millones de pesos. Empezamos a tener información gracias a la comunidad y esta mañana se capturó al asesino�, aseveró el Presidente.

Ese resultado –dijo Uribe Vélez– es una muestra del compromiso del Gobierno para hacerle frente a la impunidad. Agregó que en la madrugada de este lunes la Policía rescató al médico Jorge Lemus, vinculado al Hospital Militar, quien había sido secuestrado en Ocaña (Norte de Santander) por el frente 41 de las Farc.

“Estos dos hechos puntuales que hoy coinciden con la noticia del señor Presidente (George) Bush de enviar el Tratado a consideración del Congreso, son hechos puntuales que le indican al Congreso de los Estados Unidos y al mundo entero, los esfuerzos que está haciendo Colombia para que la Seguridad Democrática proteja a todos los colombianos, a los líderes sindicales, para derrotar la impunidad, para que los asesinos no queden en la impunidad, y para que podamos derrotar otros delitos, como el delito del secuestro�, sostuvo.

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

greg says on Apr 7, 17:21:

What about the farmers? If the trade agreement goes through what will happen to them when Colombia is flooded with cheap ag products from the U.S. Nafta hurt millions of Mexican farmers. Will the FTA do the same to Colombian farmers?

Simon says on Apr 7, 17:26:

Greg, there will be winners and losers as with any FTA, but the winners will win more than what the losers will lose.

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 17:59:

Colombia's farmers produce far more fruit and veggies . that the US does not export ,and can market those, cheaper than those that would import to South America. The fruits like apples and grapes from Chili , already too high priced here, and have been for years.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

romy says on Apr 7, 18:06:

US: Reject Colombia Free Trade Deal (http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/04/07/colomb18460.htm)
Bogota Fails to Tackle Anti-Union Violence and Impunity

(Washington, DC, April 7, 2008) – The US Congress should vote against the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) because of Colombia’s continuing failure to effectively address anti-union violence and impunity, Human Rights Watch said today.

Colombia has the highest rate of killings of trade unionists in the world. Seventeen trade unionists have been killed in Colombia in just the first three months of this year, Human Rights Watch said.

President George W. Bush has announced that tomorrow he will submit the free trade agreement to Congress for a vote, over the objections of the congressional leadership. Last year the leadership of the House of Representatives said that consideration of the deal would depend on whether Colombia showed “concrete evidence of sustained results� in breaking the power of paramilitary groups and addressing the near-total impunity for widespread violence against trade unionists. Colombia has not met these conditions.

“Colombia has yet to show concrete results in breaking paramilitaries’ power and holding the killers of trade unionists accountable,� said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “If Congress ratifies the FTA now, it’s very unlikely the Uribe government will follow through on its promises to tackle these issues.�

Human Rights Watch does not oppose free trade agreements per se, but said any free trade deal should be premised on respect for fundamental human rights, including the rights of workers.

More than 400 trade unionists have been killed since President Alvaro Uribe took office in 2002, according to the National Labor School (Escuela Nacional Sindical), a highly respected labor rights group in Colombia. Every year, hundreds of trade unionists also report receiving death threats.

Proponents of the trade deal seek to minimize the violence by asserting that trade unionists are less likely to be killed in Colombia than the average citizen. But that “average citizen� includes people in conflict zones or others living under conditions of unusually high risks. A statistically appropriate comparison would look at trade unionists as compared to non-unionized workers in the same region and industry.

There have been more than 2,500 trade unionist killings in Colombia since 1985, but only 68 of these cases have ever resulted in a conviction. Bush says the Colombian government has addressed Congressional concern over impunity by stepping up funding for prosecutions and supporting the creation last year of a specialized group of prosecutors and judges assigned to reopen some cases. Human Rights Watch noted that positive step, but warned it could be quickly undone if the deal were ratified before prosecutors made real headway in obtaining well-grounded convictions.

“The most promising step the Colombian government has taken is to establish this specialized group of prosecutors,� said Vivanco. “But they need sustained pressure to get the job done.�

Paramilitary groups, which are on the US list of foreign terrorist organizations, have openly admitted to deliberately targeting unionists. Bush says the Colombian government has addressed the violence by demobilizing tens of thousands of paramilitary fighters. However, the Organization of American States (OAS) mission verifying the demobilizations has identified 22 illegal armed groups, in which paramilitaries are actively recruiting new troops and participating in drug trafficking, extortion, selective killings, and the forced displacement of thousands of civilians. Eight foreign embassies in Bogota, the OAS mission, and countless human rights defenders, trade unionists, and civilians have also reported receiving threats from these groups in recent months.

Meanwhile, Colombian democracy is facing a serious threat in the form of paramilitaries exercising influence at some of the highest levels of government. More than 50 congressmen from Uribe’s governing coalition, his former intelligence chief, and other officials, have come under investigation for collaborating with paramilitaries. Rather than fully supporting investigations into these links, Uribe has repeatedly lashed out against the Colombian Supreme Court and journalists who are trying to uncover the extent of the paramilitaries’ influence.

In remarks to the media on April 7, Bush portrayed the agreement as “urgent for national security reasons,� arguing that Colombia needs assistance to confront the abusive left-wing guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. But the United States already provides hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance to Colombia every year, mostly as military aid, Human Rights Watch noted.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 19:32:

http://elpilon.com.co/noticias/not00011946.htm

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

SiV says on Apr 7, 19:36:

But will the winners take all, while the losers have nothing?

Remember, most of the groups set to lose are already at the bottom of Colombian society: campesinos, afro-Colombians, indiginous groups. The winners, as always, it seems will be big business, the big landowners, rich elites, etc.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Mahatma Gandhi

tejasmarcos says on Apr 7, 21:56:

"More than 400 trade unionists have been killed since President Alvaro Uribe took office in 2002"

- that is staggering! i had no idea...... that is the ultimate form of bully politics.

god is in your head

hustle3999 says on Apr 7, 22:17:

that "400" is higly disputable as there was only 35 union members killed last year. (Uribe's administration places the number closer to 25) either way no will argue with the fact that Colombia is a safer country now than 10 years ago. The fact that politicians are being arrested and investigated is a sign of transparency in the Colombian government. Also i dont see how not passing this will somehow resolve the issue of union members being killed.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 7, 22:43:

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/04/07/daily19.html?ana...

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

Monpirri says on Apr 8, 02:29:

Greg,
Colombia will have a resolution in favor of the farmers so their products would also reach other countries with profits as well$$$.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

Robert Jorge says on Apr 8, 05:50:

I can't remember the thread, but several months ago, somebody posted the number of trade union members killed. Then, somebody posted how many trade union members there were. The homicide rate for a trade unionist was something like 3 times LESS than the average Colombian citizen.

I can't think of anything agriculturally, that the US could sell cheaper to Colombia than Colombia can produce themselves. I don't think Colombia is going to be flooded with subsidized US grown maracuyas and guanabanas. Not too many bananna farms in Kentucky. The agricultural things that the US 'may' be able to export to Colombia cheaper would probably be grains like corn, soybeans, and wheat. And I don't know about that - just speculating. But with commodity prices where they are at right now - I doubt Colombian grain farmers could be low-balled price-wise by US grown grain.

Robert Jorge says on Apr 8, 05:54:

I betcha S.A. Miller (Bavarian) is against the free trade deal.

SiV says on Apr 8, 06:32:

Only 35? 35 trade union murders in one year seems a small number to you, hustle? Though I think the Escuela Nacional de Sindicalistas, recognised as being the most reliable source, put the number at 37.

And how many of the 400 have been brought to trial? 10.

Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. Denying the TLC gives a clear message to those responsible for the murders, the companies and right-wing illegal armed groups, that this is unacceptable and that they will not profit while this continues. They'll get the message sooner or later if they realise they'll lose out.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Mahatma Gandhi

billyb says on Apr 8, 06:44:

Raul Reyes was once a sindicalista, I wonder if he was counted as a dead labor organizer by AW/HRI? Or as a dead terrorist.

SiV says on Apr 8, 07:06:

What are you implying, Billyb, that all trade unionists are Farc terrorists? That's a great dishonour to those who just wanted to improve working conditions for themselves and their co-workers and were murdered because of it.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Mahatma Gandhi

billyb says on Apr 8, 07:08:

Not trying to imply anything, SIV try not to always get your panties in a bunch, the question stands as it is and is aimed only at Reyes, or do you consider him a unionist first and not a terrorist?

cali373 says on Apr 8, 10:43:

WOW you guys sure are fair and balanced. A trade agreement that was drafted by the most business friendly administration that is supported by major financial and manufacturing industries. I COULD HAVE NEVER GUESS IT!! JAJAJAJA

Unlike some out there, I would be thinking about how Colombia as a whole would benefit. Colombia will not benefit from having more less expensive cars on the road that the majority of the population cannot afford anyway, even at lower prices.

Lower prices on computer equipment or domestic appliances, medicine and a more efficient infracstructure, not cheaper gas guzzlers!!! Usually big pharma is not looking to decrease prices on international operations that does not allows competition, which it what medical patents does. big hypocracy yes?

It seems that some of us here are more interested in there own personal interests than that of Colombia.

Smile if you are a thinker!

cali373 says on Apr 8, 10:45:

In Colombia yes ALL unionists are considered insurgents and therefore a target for paramilitaries.

However i don't think that Trade agreements should involve issues that should be resolved by the justice departments of individual countries. That is why China is so ideal. You have a problem, you disappear without a trace. you protesta and you will get gunned down without remorse.

I wonder if the U.S. and Colombia would be better countries if they were more like the Chinese.

Smile if you are a thinker!

cali373 says on Apr 8, 10:48:

Robert Jorge

Soybean (the GMO kind), corn (the GMO kind), rice (some is GMO), chicken legs (the anti-biotic injected kind), Beef, flour.

Smile if you are a thinker!

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 8, 10:54:

I don't see how the support of large American corporations and industry groups means that this FTA is good for Colombia. Of course they will be in favor of something that opens Colombia to being flooded with cheaper imported goods. It is not good for most industries in Colombian and in the long run will be very detrimental to the Colombian worker and the Colombian economy. Of course, Uribe and his government are all for it because it will be beneficial to certain wealthy segments in Colombia.

Beyond that, there are several provisions in the bill that are extremely unfair to Colombia including those related to generic drugs, telecom and other issues.

On the other hand, the violence against trade unions would not be a good reason to hold up this agreement if it weren't otherwise detrimental to Colombia's best interests.

romy says on Apr 8, 14:37:

ColombianoGringo, could you expand on the telecom issues with the FTA? I've seen you post that a couple of times, but I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with the argument.

Also, is it not worrying to you that trade unions in colombia face one of the unfriendliest environments in the world, even after the noted progress that has been made?

Robert Jorge says on Apr 8, 20:02:

Cali, I refuse to believe that it would be cheaper - even with zero tariffs - for US rice to be cheaper than Colombian rice IN Colombia. My guess, US consumers will have a new source of inexpensive rice. US whole chicken prices now average $1.20 a lb. Cheaper can be found of course, but that is an average promotion price. 2 years ago, it was $.70 a lb. Why would Colombian stores pay 7 or 8 mil pesos a chicken PLUS shipping when they can get them locally, fresher, for less money? At grocers like Publix and others, whole chicken in the US sell for close to $5.00 a lb.

Cali, I respect your point of view and appreciate it, but I also disagree: You said: "Colombia will not benefit from having more less expensive cars on the road that the majority of the population cannot afford anyway, even at lower prices." Well if the majority of the population can't afford them, then it is a moot point. Cheaper cars might mean a SLIGHT increase in sales and availability to those who couldn't otherwise afford the cars. But of course, this means you would have to awknowledge that the trickle down effect does work. Otherwise, how could these people buy the cars? Are you against a middle class Colombian family being able to afford their first car, because the car (a micro sized Chevy) suddenly went from 30 million pesos to 20 million?

SiV says on Apr 8, 20:15:

I imagine the US companies' tactics will go as follows:
flood the market with extremely cheap goods (rice, chicken, etc,) undercutting Colombian producers (the US producers have the capital to suffer a profit loss for a while),
then faced with this competition the Colombian producers will go out of business,
hey ho, the US find themselves market leaders, prices go up and they recuperate their losses.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Mahatma Gandhi

tejasmarcos says on Apr 9, 06:06:

Detroit Sets Bold Goal:
Exporting U.S. Cars
By JOHN D. STOLL, NORIHIKO SHIROUZU and NEAL E. BOUDETTE
April 8, 2008; Page A1

DETROIT -- Last year's landmark labor deals and the weak dollar are breathing new life into U.S. auto plants, leading Detroit's auto makers to plan sizable exports of U.S.-made vehicles to markets around the world.

General Motors Corp. is looking to export U.S.-made vehicles to Europe as well as to China and Latin American markets such as Brazil, company executives confirmed. Chrysler LLC, primarily spurred by exchange rates, has already started shifting production from Europe to the U.S. to take advantage of lower costs and available plant capacity. Ford Motor Co. is considering ramping up exports if it can bring labor costs down, people familiar with the matter said.

OCEAN DRIVE


• The News: Detroit's Big Three hope to increase exports of U.S.-made cars to overseas markets.
• The Impetus: New labor deals and a weak dollar have made U.S. plants more competitive.
• The Challenge: Success depends on wringing out costs.For years the U.S. has been one of the most expensive places in the world to make cars. But the new contracts with the United Auto Workers union signed last fall significantly improve the global competitive position of Big Three plants. The weaker dollar, which makes production in the U.S. less expensive, is also helping to turn the economics of domestic production upside down.

"Combined with the weak dollar, we've got a contract that puts ourselves in a great position to ship products to other countries and do it making a profit," said Mike Herron, a UAW official at GM's assembly plant in Spring Hill, Tenn., who is involved in negotiations with the company.

Detroit's improved competitive position has sparked concern among foreign manufacturers, which do not use unionized U.S. workers. Toyota Motor Corp. is now pushing to lower labor costs in the U.S., say people familiar with the matter.

Later this year, GM will begin shipping the Buick Enclave, a seven-passenger crossover sport-utility vehicle made in Lansing, Mich., to China, where the Buick brand is a big seller. GM hopes eventually to export as many as 25,000 Enclaves a year to China, said Dee Allen, a GM spokesman.

GM is making plans to sell the Chevrolet Malibu, a sedan made in Kansas and Michigan, and possibly other U.S.-made passenger cars in Brazil and other Latin American markets, GM executives have said.

The company also has told UAW officials it is seriously considering building a future small car in Lordstown, Ohio, that would be exported to markets outside North America, people familiar with the matter said. It would be one of five new vehicles being produced there near the turn of the decade, one of these people said. The 42-year-old Lordstown assembly plant had been considered a candidate for closure due to high UAW labor costs.


GM's president and chief operating officer, Frederick Henderson, said in an email that several of GM's recently redesigned models have "gotten great acceptance in the U.S. and we believe it has significant potential in many other markets globally, and we are looking at such opportunities."

The "more competitive U.S. dollar improves export competitiveness and potential profitability," he added.

Shipping to Europe

Chrysler had been using a contract manufacturer to assemble minivans for sale in Europe, but it chose not to extend the deal beyond 2007 and this year started exporting the Dodge Caravan minivan -- branded Chrysler Voyager in Europe -- made in a plant near St. Louis to Europe, a company spokeswoman said.

It is also exporting increasing numbers of compact Dodge and Jeep models made in Belvidere, Ill., to several European countries. So far this year, more than 15,000 have been exported, up about 40% from the year-earlier period.

Chrysler still has larger Jeeps made in Europe but is looking at moving that production to its U.S. plants when the Jeep contract with its European manufacturer, Magna Steyr AG, expires in 2009, a person familiar with the matter said.

Ford executives last fall dangled a carrot to union negotiators, saying exporting opportunities for UAW-built vehicles could increase with more competitive manufacturing costs, a person familiar with the matter said. Now Ford is mulling exporting the Ranger small pickup truck and Focus small car to places such as Brazil and Mexico when the economics make sense, another person familiar with the matter said.

The UAW contract signed last fall added assurance that exporting from U.S. plants could be viable, said Michael Robinet, an analyst at Northville, Mich., consulting firm CSM Worldwide. The combined effects from a falling dollar and the new UAW labor contract "make the U.S. a low-cost country" like China and Brazil, he said.

The new UAW contracts create a new generation of U.S. auto workers with wages and benefits more in line with what Toyota pays its U.S. workers, with wages for new hires at $14 an hour instead of the previous $26. It also offloads billions of dollars in retiree health-care liabilities hobbling the Big Three to outside trust funds.

To stay competitive, Toyota has stopped pegging its wages to UAW rates when it builds new plants, company executives said. It won't cut wages of current workers, but new hires will be paid no more than 50% above the prevailing manufacturing wage in the area where a plant is located, they said.

Exporting a large number of U.S.-made cars could go a long way in helping the Big Three turn around their unprofitable North American operations. It could also help them tap faster-growing overseas markets, especially at a time when U.S. sales have been hit by economic worries. Exports could help lower costs per vehicle and use up excess manufacturing capacity.

Challenges remain. The companies must figure out how to meet demand in an array of countries without busting their limited budgets. The concept could still fizzle if they can't entice enough current workers to accept buyouts or early retirement deals to open jobs for new hires who would get reduced wages and benefits. Both Chrysler and Ford have gotten fewer takers than they had hoped for their buyout packages.

Increasing exports also requires better access to overseas markets, especially in Asia where some countries lock out Detroit's vehicles while sending millions of cars to the U.S. Russia, a big potential market for vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, imposes heavy tariffs on imports. GM Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner will devote more time to regulatory issues under a recent management shift there, and the auto makers have pressed the issue with the presidential candidates.

The U.S. last year exported $50.66 billion worth of cars and light trucks, according to the Commerce Department, or about a third of what it imported. Roughly half of its exports are to neighboring Mexico and Canada. Much of the rest consists of higher-end vehicles unavailable elsewhere.

Detroit's auto makers believe they can now export more mass-market vehicles. Until the new contract was signed, auto labor in the U.S. was 50% more expensive than in France and Japan. Only Germany had higher labor costs than the U.S.

Dollar's Impact

Spurred by the dollar, foreign auto makers are also devoting more attention to the U.S. BMW AG is pumping $750 million into its South Carolina plant to significantly expand U.S. output, much of which is earmarked for Europe. Volkswagen AG is looking to build a new plant in North America, and many observers expect it to be in the U.S. Italy's Fiat SpA last week confirmed it is beginning discussions to find a partner that can assemble Alfa Romeo cars built in the U.S.

The trend isn't limited to the big players. Tesla Motors, a Northern California start-up developing an electric car, recently decided to scrap plans to build its $20,000-plus batteries in Thailand. Instead, it will assemble the components in the U.S. because of currency values. Tesla has also pushed ahead its plan to sell cars in Europe by one year in hopes of banking big profits by selling cars to buyers paying in euros.

Costs weren't the only barrier to exports for Detroit. GM found the appeal for many of its U.S.-made vehicles overseas was lacking. GM, Chrysler and Ford often made different versions of the same vehicles for the U.S. and Europe, which precluded them from producing both in the same plant. The U.S. version of the Ford Focus is made from different underpinnings than the Focus sold in Europe. As a result, it made little economic sense to export U.S.-made vehicles even as auto sales soared in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

The auto makers began rethinking their options as the dollar plunged over the past few years. They also began developing global platforms that will give them a single set of underpinnings for vehicles they can sell around the world.

The head of the GM unit covering Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, Maureen Kempston-Darkes, said in an interview she is eager to "tap what the U.S. has" to fuel the breakneck growth in the 86 countries she oversees.

Ms. Kempston-Darkes's region is a critical arm of GM, contributing 10% of global revenue. Last year its sales totaled $18.3 billion, up from $5 billion in 2003. By 2010, GM aims to bank $25 billion in revenue from the region, which currently is by far its most profitable.

god is in your head

Robert Jorge says on Apr 9, 09:41:

I had to page up to see when your article was written Tejas. In the article, it says GM plans to sell it's Malibu in Brazil and other South American countries. (article is a day old) Well, 2 years ago, I was riding around Villavicencio in a Chevy Malibu. And yes, it was a new one, not a 1968 model. jaja

DodgerDogs says on Apr 9, 12:41:

(CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband Bill don't see eye-to-eye when it comes to a controversial free trade pact.
art.clintons.gi.jpg

Hillary and Bill Clinton have different opinions about a free trade agreement with Colombia.

Hillary Clinton staunchly opposes a free trade agreement with Colombia, but her husband, the former president, supports it.

Clinton on Wednesday said she and her husband have a long record of having different views about trade.

"I don't think any married couple I know agrees on everything, and we disagree on this," she said.

"The Colombia free trade deal, in my view, is not appropriate because of the history of suppression and targeted killings of labor organizers in Colombia. There is an argument that there has been some improvement and change by the Colombian government but it is not enough for me," she said.

Clinton's campaign spokesman, Jay Carson, told The Associated Press that her opposition to the deal is "clear and firm."

President Clinton, however, "has been public about his support for Colombia's request for U.S. trade preferences since 2000," Carson said.

According to AP, Bill Clinton raked in $800,000 from Gold Service International, a development group based in Bogota, Colombia, that supports the Colombia free trade deal. The payment was for appearances in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil in 2005.

Earlier this week, Clinton's chief strategist Mark Penn resigned amid controversy about a meeting he had with Colombian officials to promote the pact. Penn said he met the officials not as a Clinton representative but rather in his capacity as chief of his public relations company, Burson-Marsteller.

Penn called the meeting "an error in judgment that will not be repeated," and apologized. That prompted Colombia's government to fire the company Saturday, calling the remarks "a lack of respect to Colombians."

Though he resigned as chief strategist, the Clinton campaign said Penn will still advise the campaign.

Hillary Clinton maintains her stance is clear and she has said she doesn't think the fallout over Penn will hurt her campaign. In an interview Tuesday, she suggested she dealt with the matter more definitively than Obama did when he faced a similar situation.

"Contrast that to Sen. Obama's campaign where, as far as I know, nothing was ever done when one of his top economic advisers representing the campaign -- unlike Mr. Penn who was not representing the campaign -- but Mr. Obama's representative told the Canadian government basically not to pay any attention to what Sen. Obama was saying about [the North American Free Trade Agreement]," she told CNN on Tuesday.

Clinton and top aides were sharply critical of Obama after reports his top economic adviser suggested to a Canadian official that Obama was not as supportive of changes to NAFTA as the Illinois senator claimed to be on the campaign trail.

Campaigning on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton reiterated her push to defeat the Colombia Free Trade Agreement now before Congress.

Free trade agreements don't sit well with everyone in Pennsylvania, home to more than 800,000 union voters. Video Watch how the Penn controversy could play out in Pennsylvania »

Pennsylvania is the next battleground for Clinton and rival Barack Obama. The state holds its primary on April 22, and 158 delegates are at stake.

"We've got to have new trade policies before we have new trade deals. And that includes no trade deal with Colombia while violence against trade unionists continues in that country," she said while campaigning last week.

The Colombia trade pact isn't the first issue that has caused the Clintons to butt heads.

Clinton grabbed headlines earlier this week when she called on President Bush to skip the opening ceremonies of this year's Olympic Games in Beijing -- a move that revived memories of what her team considers one of her finest foreign policy moments, her speech in that city as first lady challenging the Chinese government on its women's rights record. In fact, the senator's get-tough policy on China on a host of issues has been one of the hallmarks of her presidential run since it began.

Bill Clinton took aim at the Chinese government over human rights during his first White House run -- but removed human rights standards from China's Most Favored Nation requirements and became the first U.S. president to visit the country since the Tiananmen Square crackdown.

Both moves drew sharp criticism from those within the party who believed, as Clinton herself does, that greater public pressure was needed to bring about reform in China.

And the senator has repeatedly insisted that she has always been a fierce opponent of NAFTA -- an economic treaty that was one of the signal achievements of her husband's presidency. The issue has continued to dog her on the trail, where NAFTA is deeply unpopular with many Democratic primary voters

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

billyb says on Apr 9, 13:28:

There's a reason why Colombians like Billy Boy (not me, the other one) and can't stand Thrill Hill.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 9, 13:32:

billyb: I know you , like everyone else in burlytown voted for Bill.
I just don't know why you like Hillary so much, she looks like a hamster.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

billyb says on Apr 9, 13:36:

Me like Hill? Jajajaja, now that is funny. BTW, In My nephew's 4th grade class in Burlytown they took a poll and Obama got 19, Hill got 3 and McCain got 2 votes. If how kids vote is a reflection of what they hear from their parents, Hill is not so popular on the Peninsula.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 9, 13:40:

billyb: To your nephew she may be a 3, but to you she is a 10.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

billyb says on Apr 9, 13:42:

I'd rather cut my member off, than touch her with it, jejeje.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 9, 13:46:

billyb: I believe you may, just have a thing for blonde boogie dancers.
And this one in the video belows knows how to move.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 9, 15:54:

This picture from El Espectador explains very well the only real intention of the FTA/TLC. The US doesn't make trade deals for altruistic reasons.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 9, 15:59:

http://www.wallstreet-online.de/nachrichten/nachricht/2334279.html

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 9, 16:03:

Who cares about a vote of confidence for the Flawed Trade Agreement from yet another industry group representing companies that want to flood the Colombia market with cheap goods? What else would you expect from a group that will share in the lopsided benefits of this agreement at the expense of Colombia's best interests?

DodgerDogs says on Apr 9, 16:06:

I would rather have cheaper Sony TVs , than cheap Sankey TVs.
T.L.C. is a winner for Colombia !!!!!

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 9, 16:08:

It is a winner for large US corporations and the rich segment of Colombia's population that doesn't need any help. The losers will be the average Colombian worker and small business person. I guess it's OK, since they are used to getting screwed anyway. Why go against tradition?

Tinto (Moderator) says on Apr 9, 16:11:

Based on the latest news, it may not be voted on anytime soon, so the American taxpayer will be the one getting screwed: Having to fund Plan Colombia PLUS the continuation of the existing one-way trade agreement.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 9, 16:14:

How is the average Colombian workers , gonna lose with a chance to buy better at cheaper prices. The only losers will be the small finca producers, but they pay the families working on them next to zelch, so maybe that is good they go under.

Please show how T.L.C if it passes and the several new jobs for Colombia it will create, will
hurt the poor people of Colombia.

Hugo Chavez type thinking about T.L.C. hurts the poor.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

Monpirri says on Apr 9, 16:21:

http://www.colombianosporeltlc.org/

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

ColombianoGringo says on Apr 9, 17:31:

So now I'm a Chavista because I am against a trade agreement that will be detrimental to Colombia's best interests? Nice attitude.

I've expressed my reasons for being against the FTA many times on this site. Look them up. I never said I was against some sort of a trade agreement. This one-sided, unfair piece of shit is just not the right one.

BTW, my in-laws are small farmers. They are already having a rough time and the FTA will only make it worse. They certainly aren't getting rich off the backs of their few workers. On the other hand, my family would stand to make a killing from the TLC. However, I care more about the campesino not getting fucked than I do about rich people being able to buy more overpriced apartments and beach homes in Colombia.

DodgerDogs says on Apr 9, 17:35:

CC: In no way am I saying your a Chavista, your name says ColombianoGringo not ChavezGringo.
Chavez said the poor of Colombia would be hurt by TLC, but then he is the one, who has hurt the poor of his country . Where is the poor people of Venezuela's leche y carnes ?

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King: