Statement By Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer On Signing Of The Andean Trade Preference Extension Act (H.R. 5264) By President George W. Bush

"The signing of the 10-month Andean Trade Preference Extension Act (H.R. 5264) by President George W. Bush is an important interim measure while we work to secure Congressional passage of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement and to implement the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. Now we need both chambers to move forward with the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

"The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will replace one-way with two-way free and fair trade by providing U.S. farmers, ranchers and businesses with duty-free access to that market. Opening the Colombian market and increasing our two-way trade will strengthen our economic ties and also promote increased stability that will benefit all the nations of the Western Hemisphere.

“For the past 16 years, the Andean Trade Preference Act provided Colombia and Peru with duty-free access to the U.S. market for nearly all products and generated economic opportunities in those countries. Last fall, Congress took a critical step toward allowing U.S. exports to benefit from two-way trade by approving the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. Now, it is time for Congress to provide U.S. farmers and ranchers with duty-free access to an even larger market by approving our agreement with Colombia. Over 90 percent of U.S. imports from Colombia enter our country duty-free. This agreement will provide U.S. companies and farmers with duty-free access to the Colombian market.”