[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 146 (Monday, October 3, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H6483-H6484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    LEGISLATION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS IMPLEMENTING UNITED STATES-
 COLOMBIA TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE 
                   UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 112-58)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following message 
from the President of the United States; which was read and, together 
with the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Ways and 
Means and ordered to be printed:

To the Congress of the United States:
  I am pleased to transmit legislation and supporting documents to 
implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement 
(Agreement). The Agreement is an important part of my Administration's 
efforts to spur economic growth, increase exports, and create jobs in 
the United States, while promoting our core values. The Agreement will 
create significant new opportunities for American workers, farmers, 
ranchers, businesses, and consumers by opening the Colombian market and 
eliminating barriers to U.S. goods, services, and investment.
  The Agreement also represents a historic development in our relations 
with Colombia. Colombia is a steadfast strategic partner of the United 
States and a leader in the region. The Agreement reflects the 
commitment of the United States to supporting democracy and economic 
growth in Colombia. It will also help Colombia battle production of 
illegal crops by creating alternative economic opportunities.
  Under the Agreement, tariffs on over 80 percent of U.S. consumer and 
industrial exports will be eliminated immediately. United States 
agricultural exports in particular will enjoy substantial new 
improvements in access to Colombia's market. Currently, no U.S. 
agricultural exports enjoy duty-free access to Colombia. Once the 
Agreement enters into force, almost 70 percent, by value, of current 
U.S. agricultural exports will be able to enter Colombia duty-free 
immediately. In addition, the Agreement will give American service 
providers greater access to Colombia's $134 billion services market. 
This will help to level the playing field, since 91 percent of our 
imports from Colombia have enjoyed duty-free access to our market under 
U.S. trade preference programs.
  The Agreement contains state of the art provisions to help protect 
and enforce intellectual property rights, reduce regulatory red tape, 
and eliminate regulatory barriers to U.S. exports. The Agreement also 
contains the highest standards for protecting labor rights, carrying 
out covered environmental agreements, and ensuring that key domestic 
labor and environmental laws are enforced, combined with strong 
remedies for noncompliance. Colombia has already made significant 
reforms related to the obligations it

[[Page H6484]]

will have under the labor chapter. A number of these steps have been 
taken in fulfillment of the commitments Colombia made in the agreed 
Action Plan Related to Labor Rights that President Santos and I 
announced on April 7. Colombia must successfully implement key elements 
of the Action Plan before I will bring the Agreement into force.
  This Agreement forms an integral part of my Administration's larger 
strategy of doubling exports by the end of 2014 through opening markets 
around the world. In addition, the Agreement provides an opportunity to 
strengthen our economic and political ties with the Andean region, and 
underpins U.S. support for democracy while contributing to further 
hemispheric integration and economic growth in the United States. This 
Agreement is vital to ensuring Colombia continues on its trajectory of 
positive change.
  As a part of an ambitious trade agenda, it is important that the 
Congress renew a strong and robust Trade Adjustment Assistance Program 
consistent with reforms enacted in 2009. Renewal of that program is 
necessary to support Americans who need training and other services 
when their jobs are adversely affected by trade. As we expand access to 
other markets abroad, we need to ensure that American workers are 
provided the tools needed to take advantage of these opportunities and 
are not left behind in the global economy.
  Approval of the Agreement is therefore in our national interest. I 
urge the Congress to enact this legislation promptly.
                                                        Barack Obama.  
The White House, October 3, 2011.

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