Statement of Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez on the Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Signed by President Bush

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement regarding the extension of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), which was signed by President George W. Bush today:

“Today, the President signed the extension to the Andean Trade Preference Act for 10 additional months. For more than 16 years, the ATPA has allowed duty-free access to American markets for a wide range of imports from our Andean trade partners. This access has benefited our Andean trade partners by opening new opportunities that encourage economic development through the establishment of legitimate industries in the formal economy. As a result, terrorism, violence, and instability inthe region, especiallyin Colombia, are being replaced by opportunity, the rule of law and free and open markets. In Colombia, the economic and security transformation is nothing short of remarkable.

“The time for free and fair trade has come. The pending U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) provides American workers, farmers and manufacturers the same duty-free access to the Colombian market. The Agreement also contributes to strong labor rights and environmental protections, as well as transparency and the rule of law. Citizens of Colombia and the U.S. deserve a vote by Congress on the U.S.-Colombia TPA.”

Gutierrez is in Colombia leading his fourth bipartisan Congressional delegation since September 2007. The trip will highlight the benefits of approving the U.S.-Colombia TPA. Gutierrez was in Mexico earlier this week for the U.S.-Mexico: Building Partnership in Infrastructure Conference, hosted by the U.S. Commerce Department and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency in Mexico City. He also met with his Mexican and Canadian counterparts at the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) Ministerial in San Jose del Cabo.