Wednesday - December 05, 2007

Free Trade Agreement with Peru Approved

There is something I just don't understand. The Democrats rant and rave against NAFTA (even though it was passed by Bill Clinton), yet the Senate just approved another treaty implementing yet another free trade agreement.

I wish the Democrats were "for" something besides defeat and sedition. They simply even make the Republicans look principled. 

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a free trade pact with Peru, handing President George W. Bush his first legislative trade victory since Democrats took control of Congress in January.

"I look forward to signing this legislation into law and urge Congress to promptly consider and approve our other pending free trade agreements, starting with Colombia," Bush said in a statement after the vote.

The Senate voted 77-18 to pass the agreement, which was revamped earlier this year to include groundbreaking labor and environmental provisions demanded by Democrats.

The agreement rewards a stalwart U.S. ally in a region where Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez frequently chastises the United States for its policies.

"I want to congratulate all of Peru on this excellent news," Peruvian President Alan Garcia told reporters in Lima. "This means more jobs and more social justice."

The strong bipartisan vote raised industry hopes that Congress might grant Bush his wish next year and pass trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea -- despite political obstacles facing each of those pacts. Read more....

Author: The Machiavellian
Technorati Tags: Free trade Peru
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