[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 160 (Monday, October 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REGARDING THE PACKAGE OF TRADE BILLS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 24, 2011

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, my policy regarding trade agreements has 
always been to consider each agreement on its merits. I have supported 
some FTAs and I have opposed others based on a careful consideration of 
the details of the legislation and the pros and cons associated with 
them. In each case, I apply the following test: Will the agreement help 
the American economy and American workers?
  It is by that standard that I measured the trade package we are 
considering today containing the House passed renewal of the 
Generalized System of Preferences for poor countries; trade adjustment 
assistance to support those American workers who may be harmed in 
specific cases; and the long pending free trade agreements with Panama, 
Korea and Colombia. After considering each of these agreements, I have 
decided to support them.
  For too long, the U.S. automobile industry has had only limited 
access to Korea's auto market. In 2010, over 500,000 Korean autos were 
sold in the U.S. while only 14,000 American cars were sold in Korea. 
The Obama Administration negotiated with the Korean government and 
corrected that imbalance while increasing American access to other 
areas of the Korean economy such as its lucrative financial services 
and IT sectors. The agreement is supported by the United Auto Workers 
and the American auto industry.
  The Panama FTA increases the access of American goods and services to 
Panama's economy while also addressing long-standing concerns about the 
quality of Panama's workers protections and about its status as a tax-
haven for those Americans trying to avoid paying their fair share of 
taxes. Through close negotiation with the Panamanian government, the 
Obama Administration and Members of Congress have addressed those 
concerns.
  The Colombia FTA is also a win for the American economy. The benefits 
Colombia has enjoyed as a result of its membership among the GSP 
recipient countries has meant that it has had significant and one-sided 
access to the American market. This FTA balances that relationship so 
that now American companies enjoy the same access to Colombia's growing 
economy that Colombia has enjoyed in the U.S. for decades.
  Colombia has struggled with a violent past, including the targeted 
execution of labor organizers. With the accession of the Santos 
Administration and its commitment to addressing this serious problem, 
encouraging headway has been made. As an indication of its good faith, 
the Santos Administration has passed into law 75 percent of the 
requirements of the ``Action Plan'' it negotiated with the Obama 
Administration, including the adoption of standards required for 
approving trade agreements and establishing an ILO office in Bogota to 
monitor labor violations. Colombia has made significant progress toward 
penalizing those companies trying to circumvent collective bargaining 
agreements through the use of `collectives' and it has created a 
separate Ministry of Labor to give Cabinet-level attention to critical 
labor issues. Passage of the Colombia FTA will encourage the Colombian 
government to continue these reforms.
  Each of these bills increases opportunities for American companies 
and consumers while helping to spread those economic benefits widely 
for American workers here and abroad. The American economy cannot 
afford to sit on the sidelines as other countries form trade 
partnerships. As we aggressively pursue trade and export opportunities 
around the globe, steps we take to protect our workers at home, such as 
TAA, are critical.
  Together, these trade measures represent the strong commitment of 
Congress and the Obama Administration to promoting job growth in the 
U.S. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting these important 
pieces of legislation.

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