[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, more markets for our products mean more 
jobs for Minnesotans and for all Americans. That's why I was pleased 
that President Obama recently directed the U.S. Trade Representative to 
work through any outstanding issues so that we can move forward with a 
Colombia Free Trade Agreement. The President is right: more open trade 
is a win-win for both countries, and we need bipartisan action to pass 
this trade agreement, but Congress' lack of action has harmed U.S. 
interests, and it has given a competitive advantage to other countries.
  How can American businesses compete when the European Union, Canada, 
China, and Latin America countries have better access to the Colombian 
market?
  Over 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products 
would become duty free immediately, but instead, Congress' inaction has 
cost U.S. exporters more than $1.5 billion in tariffs to Colombia.
  Madam Speaker, let's do what is right and quickly pass the U.S.-
Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

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