Consulado General de Colombia en Los Angeles presenta en Sacramento los avances del Gobierno en materia de seguridad y derechos humanos con ocasión del debate del legislativo de California sobre el Acuerdo de Comercio Colombia - Estados Unidos.
Assembly Committee Passes Resolution Hindering U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement
(April 22, 2010) A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed state resolution that memorializes Congress to oppose the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) passed an Assembly policy committee this week.
AJR 27 (Torrico; D-Fremont), a California Assembly Joint Resolution, would cast the FTA and Colombia in an unproductive light if it were to pass. The measure is headed to the Assembly Floor.
The U.S.-Colombia FTA, signed in 2006, is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives. The agreement will also increase momentum toward lowering trade barriers and set a positive example for other small economies in the Western Hemisphere.
In testimony before the committee, Maria Fernanda Melo, vice consul from the Colombian Consulate General in Los Angeles, explained that Colombia has achieved great progress that is recognized not only domestically, but by international organizations, the media and analysts as well.
“The improvement and progress in Colombia has been unprecedented in the history of our country and in the region,” she said. “This success is due to the extensive commitment of the government and the people to restore security throughout the country, strengthen institutions, promote the rule of law and create better conditions for the development of its citizens.”
Colombia is on the right track Melo explained, and a strengthened and stable alliance with the United States, a critical partner, will contribute to a more rapid achievement of their mutual goals. Passing AJR 27 will only undermine Colombia’s progress, she said.
Colombia is an important trading partner with California and the United States and also a partner in stopping drug trafficking. In 2009, the United States exported more than $9.5 billion worth of goods to Colombia, with total trade topping $20.7 billion. Colombia is California's 35th largest trading partner, exporting more than $320 million in goods in 2009.
“The delay or rejection of a free trade agreement hinders the objectives of increasing living standards for Colombians and increasing security,” Melo said. “Indeed, the opposite seems to be the case; delaying a free trade agreement not only discourages much-needed investment, but reduces Colombia’s level of competitiveness on a daily basis by reducing access to the resources needed to invest in education, health, infrastructure and development.”
The FTA is pending approval by the U.S. Congress.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement offers tremendous opportunities for California's exporters. When the FTA enters into force, 80 percent of U.S. consumer and industrial exports to Colombia will be duty-free immediately, including nearly all information technology products; mining, agriculture, and construction equipment; medical and scientific equipment; auto parts; paper products; and chemicals. The remaining tariffs phase out over 10 years.
U.S. farmers and ranchers will also become much more competitive, benefiting from immediate duty-free treatment of 77 percent of current U.S. agriculture exports. Key U.S. agriculture exports that will be duty-free when the agreement enters into force include cotton, wheat, soybeans, high-quality beef, apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and almonds. Colombia will phase out all other agricultural tariffs within 19 years.
For more information on the U.S.-Colombia FTA, visit www.calchamber.com/colombia.
