McCrery, Herger: “Level Playing Field by Passing U.S.-Colombia Agreement”
America at Competitive Disadvantage with Signing of Canada-Colombia FTA

On the occasion of the signing of the Colombia-Canada Free Trade Agreement, Congressman Jim McCrery (R-LA), Ranking Member Committee on Ways and Means and Wally Herger (R-CA), Ranking Member Subcommittee on Trade, Committee on Ways and Means call on Congressional Democrats to Level the Playing Field for America’s Farmers and Workers by passing the U.S.-Colombia agreement.

While Congressional Democrats refuse to allow a vote on the U.S.-Colombia fair trade agreement, Canada and Colombia have gone ahead and signed a free trade agreement that will give Canadian farmers and workers an advantage over America’s farmers and workers in the Colombian market.  Canada’s leading exports to Colombia – wheat, auto parts, heavy machinery, and aircraft parts – compete directly against exports of American-made products.  After signing the Canadian-Colombian agreement this weekend, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared, “We'll be anxious to sell our products to Colombia quicker than the Americans.”

In response to these developments, Congressman McCrery stated, “Speaker Pelosi’s failure to schedule a vote on the U.S.-Colombia fair trade agreement has put America at a competitive disadvantage.  The U.S.-Colombia agreement was signed over two years ago, and while Congressional Democrats have dithered, our competitors have rushed to take the advantage.  Canadian exporters will see significant reductions in tariffs on their exports, giving them a tremendous advantage over exports of American-made products.  At a time when the U.S. economy is struggling, I don’t understand why Congressional Democrats refuse to pass the U.S.-Colombia fair trade agreement, which would boost U.S. exports by billions of dollars and not cost the American tax payer one penny.”

Congressman Herger stated, “American workers deserve the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.  Imports from Colombia already enter the U.S. market virtually duty-free and now Democratic leadership is putting American farmers and workers at a disadvantage versus their Canadian competition.  Every day, it seems another major newspaper endorses passage of the fair trade agreement, including the New York Times.  I call on the Speaker to schedule an up-or-down vote when Congress returns in December.”

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