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Colombia wants free trade but then why...?

... did Avianca order 75 or so new European built Airbus aircraft and only 10 787 from AMERICAN Boeing? Is Colombia really that deserving of US free trade? Actions speak louder than words?

I have not heard a single US government elected official make a note of this above about the aircraft orders either for the agreement or not and I understand that Avianca is a private company (To what extent? It still considers itself Colombia's national airline does it not?) but then what country has given more aid to Colombia? The Americans or the European community? The airbus is a good product mind you but do you see my point?

75 or 80 new Airbus verses 10 new Boeing? If I was a US senator or Congressman this might be my rationale for blocking free trade with Colombia! I dunno....

"This train will stop in Tucumcari"

By sanandressi on Jan 27, 2009, 10:32 in Friendly Talkzone.

romy says on Jan 27, 2009, 10:47:

is avianca owned by Colombians?

edit: I guess the cafeteros have shares...

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Simon says on Jan 27, 2009, 10:50:

Ummm.... maybe it's because Airbus makes better planes?

The way that US Airways plane that landed on the Hudson floated like that had a lot do to with its design...and it was an Airbus!!

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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FOCA says on Jan 27, 2009, 11:19:

I'm not sure how much being Colombia's national airline really binds them to the actual government, but at the end of the day you are dealing with a private company with share holders. You wouldn't want the US government to tell a US company that they need to order their parts or equipment from a particular country. I would actually argue more to having Colombia's government purchase US made vehicles for the government fleet (for example the police departments)

BTW....someone mentioned this before but i never read an answer....if currently their is no tariff form Colombia to US....and the only tariff is from US to Colombia.....why doesn't Colombia drop the tariff?....wouldn't that create a free trade?

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 27, 2009, 11:31:

The Colombians products that right now have preferential access to the US market do so under unilateral decisions made by the US. These can end anytime. With the current instability in Latin America, and the return of protectionism to the US agenda given the economic crisis, no investor will invest large sums in Colombia if they are not sure that the preferential access to the US market will continue over the years. Right now these preferences are being extended about every six months, which is not enough a horizon for most investors trying to export to the US.

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 27, 2009, 11:34:

sanandressi, the country from which Colombia buys the most is the US. Aren't those loud enough actions? I don't think you can just look into one product, you have to look at the sum of all imports made by Colombia.

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FOCA says on Jan 27, 2009, 11:58:

Viajero,

thanks for the explanation.
Let's hope that Obama does the right thing and helps US biggest allies in Latin America

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gordunn says on Jan 27, 2009, 12:05:

A free trade agreement between Colombia and Canada has been signed and came into effect Jan 1/09. I am not sure what, if any, import/export regs have changed but I hope it's good for both countries. I plan to look into this and will post more if I find anything interesting.

From the fence I clearly see both sides.

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Timba says on Jan 27, 2009, 12:05:

Why don't they just do it the old fashioned way.......bribe some senators

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ferran says on Jan 27, 2009, 17:21:

Avianca has nothing to do with Colombia except flying their planes there, its a Brazilian Company.

All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self evident.

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Simon says on Jan 27, 2009, 17:28:

Nothing to do with Colombia? It's been the national airline since it was founded in 1917! So now the majority stockholder is a Brasilian.... SFW? It will always be identified with Colombia first and foremost!

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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critter says on Jan 27, 2009, 18:45:

Here are the enforceable "promises" that the fta would establish:

http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2007/asset_upl...

and the likely projected effects of the ageement
http://www.usitc.gov/publications/pub3896.pdf

If Colombia just simply removed their tariffs, they would lose out on usd$1.4bn annually with no assurance that US investment would increase or benefit Colombia significantly.

Here is why this agreement is on the "back-burner":
http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/04/10/house-takes-colombia-trade-deal-out-...
http://blog.aflcio.org/tag/colombia-free-trade-agreement/

"Spending eternity in a bad place is a long time!"

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gamm2 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 27, 2009, 18:47:

Uribe actually gave Eframovich Colombian citizenship so that the airline remained under a Colombian flag and ownership. So technically it is still a Colombian company.

What I also dont understand is what does Free Trade have to do with 1 company. The whole Colombian economy buys more from the US than from any other country. So I fail to understand sanandressis point.

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profe08 says on Mar 5, 2009, 12:52:

Critter
Now the economy? this good fat!
But Learn more about Colombia and you remember to improve your economy you should not eat so much.

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poco says on Mar 5, 2009, 13:44:

Quote: But Learn more about Colombia and you remember to improve your economy you should not eat so much.
==================
Folks won't have a choice. This is a fact,, this year the farmers in my area (VALLE) ARE NOT planting nearly as much,,

I don't want to say none,, corn and papaya,, probably others.

Owners are afraid they can not pay for the cost to produce the crops.

So,, they are switching to sugar cane. Growing sugar cane is NOT LABOR intensive and there is a market.

Watch,, see what happens,, I hope I'm wrong,, but the unemployed farm workers will be moving to the larger cities to look for work,,

Wonder if there will be enough work ? or shelter, or ???

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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salsaqueen76 says on Apr 6, 2009, 10:57:

poco, I heard that in many latin amer countries they are switching to sugar cane because they have prototypes of cane-based fuels like our corn-based ethanol(U.S.). free trade may facilitate these fuels to be sold abroad. but your right, farm-hands will be pouring in to overcrowded shanty towns around big cities.

Then again I live in Sacramento CA, so I don't have to go too far to see people living in tents. This is a global crisis.

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