About Trade
"Free and fair trade helps secure a future of freedom and promise."
President George W. Bush
World Trade Week Proclomation
May 16, 2008
News Highlights
Gutierrez Unveils Colombia Tariff Ticker during Press Conference with Congressional Leadership at the Capitol
Washington (April 24)—At a press conference in the United States Capitol, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez, flanked by House and Senate leaders unveiled the “Colombia Tariff Ticker,” which calculates the dollar value U.S. exports have faced in Colombian tariffs since the signing of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. “The tariffs imposed on American exporters tick upward—roughly $22 dollars per second, almost $2 million dollars per day and nearly $1 billion dollars in the past 520 days,” said Gutierrez. (Press Release) (Transcript)
White House Photo
President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with President Lee Myung-Bak of the Republic of Korea
Camp David (April 19)—During meetings at Camp David, President Bush and President Lee Myung-Bak addressed the media regarding a variety of key bilateral issues, including the pending free trade agreement between our two nations. On Friday, the Korean government announced a lift on the ban of U.S. beef, which had been a key obstacle to consideration of the agreement. President Bush said, “This is good news for Korean consumers and it's good news for American beef producers.” (Transcript) (Gutierrez Statement) (Schwab Statement)
USTR Schwab and Colombian Vice President Santos Visit Juan Valdez Café to Bring Attention to Colombian FTA
Washington (April 18)—U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab joined Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos at the Juan Valdez Cafe in downtown Washington, D.C. to highlight the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Colombian Ambassador to the U.S. Carolina Barco, is pictured looking on. Coffee is just one of the many Colombian products that enter the U.S. market duty-free, while U.S. industrial and consumer goods exported to Colombia face tariffs of up to 35 percent when entering into Colombia. The FTA would level the playing field. (Colombia FTA)
Gutierrez Highlights Importance of U.S.-Korea Partnership at Dinner Honoring New Korean President
New York City (April 15)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez participated in the Korea Society 2008 Annual Dinner in honor of new Korean President Lee Myung-Bak. Gutierrez highlighted the pending free trade agreement between the United States and Korea saying, “The U.S.-Korea FTA will take our relationship to new heights. Within the FTA, American workers, farmers, innovators, manufacturers and service providers will benefit from improved access to Korea’s nearly trillion-dollar economy. And Korea will have access to the largest economy in the world.” (Remarks)
President Bush Meets with Cabinet, Discusses Economy, Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Washington (April 14)—Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez joined Cabinet members for a meeting with President Bush at the White House. A top agenda item was the Colombia free trade agreement. “This free trade agreement is good for American workers and it's good for American consumers,” said Bush. “And this free trade agreement is in our national interests. Yet that bill is dead unless the Speaker schedules a definite vote.” (Transcript) (Charting Colombia’s Progress)
