The Latino Coalition Decries Shameful Tactics on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

The Latino Coalition Decries Shameful Tactics on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
http://www.agweekly.com/articles/2008/04/20/news/ag_news/news41.txt

LOS ANGELES (BUSINESS WIRE - Hector V. Barreto, chairman of The Latino Coalition (TLC,) issued the following statement regarding recent congressional action on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement:

"The Latino Coalition strongly criticizes the vote taken by the U.S. House of Representatives to change the rules, which in effect indefinitely postpones consideration of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

"It is regrettable that the congressional leadership resorted to this shameful maneuver. This was election-year politics at its worst. This agreement is very beneficial to our economy, in particular small and Latino-owned businesses, because it opens new export markets for the United States and immediately levels the playing field with Colombia.

"This action also sends the worst possible message to our friend and ally Colombia that the United States cannot be trusted. As for our detractors in the region, they could not have been handed better propaganda to use against us.

"At a time when we should be strengthening our ties with Latin America and demonstrating that we can be good partners, we instead turn our backs. Unfortunately, this short-sighted action taken by the U.S. House of Representatives may result in lasting damage and hamper the efforts to open more international markets to U.S. products and services."

About The Latino Coalition

The Latino Coalition (TLC) is a non-profit, nationwide organization based in Los Angeles, CA, with offices in Washington, DC and Mexico (Mexico City & Guadalajara). TLC was established to address policy issues that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States. TLC’s agenda is to develop and promotes policies that will foster economic equivalency and enhance overall business, economic and social development of Hispanics. For more information, visit TLC’s website at www.TheLatinoCoalition.com.

By sloopskipper on Apr 20, 2008, 13:40 in Politics & the war.