News Clips

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June 26, 2007- The Wall Street Journal, “Seeking to Soften Blows of Globalization”
WASHINGTON -- Chief executives of the nation's largest financial-services companies, concerned about the growing public backlash against international trade, are wading into the policy debate over how to help those on the losing end of globalization. A paper commissioned by the Financial Services Forum sets out several policy options aimed at cushioning the blow from job losses and other dislocations caused by global trade, in a bid to defuse protectionist sentiment in the U.S. and promote free-trade agreements.                                   

June 26, 2007 – Times of India, “US, Peru agree amendments to free-trade pact”
The United States and Peru have agreed amendments to a free-trade pact concluded a year ago and currently under review in the US Congress, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said on Monday.

The amendments to the April 2006 pact, demanded by the Democratic majority in Congress, offer guarantees of labour rights and environmental protection, Schwab said in a statement.

June 26, 2007 – Asia Sentinel, “Free Trade End Game in Seoul”
A brief renegotiation of the Korea-US free trade deal is over. Now will the pact pass muster in Congress and the National Assembly? 

Washington’s demand for further talks on the draft of the Korea-US free trade agreement was the last thing on Seoul’s mind when the tough 10-month negotiations ended last April in a deal that turned out to be surprisingly popular in South Korea despite demonstrations by South Korean farmers who see the pact as a threat to their traditional livelihood.

June 25, 2007 – The Associated Press, “Bush Administration announces agreement on language for free trade deal with Peru”
The Bush administration said Monday it has agreed with Peru on amendments to a pending free trade agreement that will deal with Democratic concerns in the areas of worker rights and protecting the environment. U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in a statement that she hoped the agreement would clear the way for congressional approval of a U.S.-Peru free trade agreement by next month.

June 25, 2007 – Council on Foreign Relations, “A Tough Month for Trade”
Last-ditch talks in Potsdam, Germany, seemed perhaps the final hope for squeezing some sort of watered-down deal out of the Doha round of multilateral trade negotiations. With those talks now collapsed (Bloomberg), and President Bush’s fast-track trade promotion authority set to expire June 30, the Doha round and its history of false starts may finally be on its deathbed. But a number of experts, including some adamant free-trade hawks, now argue Doha’s passing might not be such a bad thing.

June 25, 2007 – The San Francisco Chronicle, “U.S. Reaches Accord on Peru Trade Deal“
The Bush administration announced Monday that it reached agreement with Peru on free trade pact amendments that address Democratic concerns on worker rights and the environment.

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in a statement that she hoped the agreement would clear the way for congressional approval of a U.S.-Peru free trade agreement by next month.

June 25, 2007 – The Washington Post, “The Right Trade Deals With Latin America”
Under an agreement Congress and the administration made last month, free-trade accords with Peru and Panama moved forward. They are far from done, however. Congress should pass these modified agreements, which solidify our access to key countries and whose enforceable labor and environmental standards would set an important precedent for future trade agreements. Congress should also enact the Colombia free-trade agreement after setting enforceable benchmarks for Colombia to improve its record on human rights.

June 22, 2007- Bloomberg, “Bush Loses Trade Negotiation Lever With Collapse of WTO Talks”
The prospect of life without trade promotion authority, known as ``fast-track,'' has administration officials and U.S. businesses concerned that the European Union, China and other competitors will rush ahead with new deals among themselves, leaving the U.S. behind. The authority allows the president to negotiate trade agreements that Congress must accept or reject without amendment. ``If there is no trade promotion authority, does the Congress really want the United States to be sitting on the sidelines over the next several years while our trading partners negotiate sweetheart deals with each other that lock us out?'' U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in an interview today.

June 14, 2007 - Financial Times, “A paradoxical free trade agreement”
On April 1, the US and South Korea signed a free trade agreement (FTA), the most important such pact for both countries in a long time. At stake is a bilateral trade of $70bn, the alleviation of a US deficit of over $13bn, and a potential model for more open markets in other Asian countries.

June 14, 2007 - News Blaze, “U.S. Free-Trade Pact with South Korea Would Enhance Partnership”
Deal hinges, in part, on Korea opening market to U.S. beef, officials say

If approved by Congress, the free-trade agreement between the United States and South Korea (KORUS FTA) would help broaden and modernize the partnership between the two countries and anchor the U.S. presence in the most economically vibrant region in the world, U.S. officials say.

June 13, 2007 - Washington Post, “U.S. lawmakers find faults in Korea trade pact”
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. free trade agreement with South Korea faces big problems in Congress unless the two countries renegotiate automotive provisions of the pact, a Republican lawmaker said on Wednesday.

June 13, 2007 - Business Traveler, “U.S., Latin America at Key Juncture for Free Trade, UPS CEO Says”
The United States, Canada and Latin America can form the world's next great trading bloc, but only if the various nations move quickly to improve their transportation infrastructures and simplify customs requirements, the chief executive of UPS (NYSE:UPS) said yesterday.

"I believe that Latin America, home to half-a-billion people south of the U.S.-Mexico border, has the potential to be the next hotbed of trade and economic growth," UPS Chairman and CEO Mike Eskew told participants at the U.S. Commerce Department's inaugural Americas Competitiveness Forum.

June 13, 2007 - Roll Call, “Fast-Track Set to Expire, Congress Yawns”
With just 17 days left before the White House’s fast-track authority lapses, you’d think big-business lobbyists pushing for its renewal already would be in full swing. Instead, they say they are only now planning to step up their efforts and many acknowledge that absent some kind of trade lobbying miracle, fast-track will expire and could take months, if not years, before Congress renews it.

June 13, 2007 - Washington Post, “Colombians try to dispel U.S. doubts in trade push”
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Colombian business and civil society groups are in Washington this week seeking to dispel deep doubts about union-related violence that threaten to derail a proposed free trade deal in the U.S. Congress.

June 10, 2007 - Washington Post, “Hillary Clinton slams proposed U.S.-Korea trade pact”
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic front-runner in the U.S. presidential race, said on Saturday she would oppose ratification of a free trade pact with South Korea because it would harm the U.S. auto industry, among other things.

June 6, 2007, San Diego Union Tribune,“U.S. senator says won't link worker aid to fast track”
WASHINGTON – There is enough support in Congress to renew and expand a federal program to help workers who have lost their jobs because of trade without giving the Bush administration new “fast track” trade negotiating authority, a Senate Democrat said Wednesday. “I think TAA (trade adjustment assistance) is so important it travels on its own merits,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said after a hearing on the future of the 45-year-old program, which expires in September. The trade adjustment assistance program was last renewed in 2002 as part of broader bill which gave the Bush administration trade promotion authority. That legislation, also known as fast track, allows the White House to negotiate trade deals that Congress must approve or reject without making changes.

June 6, 2007, The Politico, “Bipartisanship will ensure trade abroad”
After last fall's election, conventional wisdom assumed decades of forward motion on freer trade and President Bush's ambitious, growth-oriented trade agenda was about to come to an end.

Pundits declared the Democrats' imminent return to power in Congress heralded the beginning of a stalemate -- or worse -- on trade. Fortunately, those assumptions were heavy on convention and light on wisdom. The administration and congressional leaders from both parties know that the sidelines are no place for America to be when it comes to international trade. Prosperity at home and economic opportunities overseas depend on U.S. leadership and engagement in the international marketplace.

June 5, 2007, Latin Business Chronicle, “Panama FTA Benefits the United States”
We believe the Panama Trade Promotion Agreement will be a remarkably beneficial trade agreement for the U.S., Panama, and the region. Panama is embarking on the biggest public works project since the Three Gorges Dam in China.  For Caterpillar, the world’s largest producer of earthmoving equipment, expanding the Panama Canal is a big deal.  If we can sell our U.S.-produced products to Panama duty-free, it will help our customers and provide us with a competitive edge over products made in other parts of the world.  In practical terms the agreement means that Panama’s ten percent duty on off-highway trucks, motor graders, wheeled scrapers and diesel engines would be eliminated.  The same would be true for other types of Caterpillar products that have tariffs ranging from 3 to 15 percent.

June 5, 2007, U.S. Department of State Press Release, Top U.S. Trade Official Urges Approval of Colombia Trade Pact,”
Washington -- Concerns about violence in Colombia should not be used as an excuse by the U.S. Congress to hold up approval of a free-trade agreement (FTA) with that country, says U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab. Schwab, in June 4 remarks to a women’s group in Washington, said the Bush administration is encouraging Colombia’s President Alvaro Uribe to take additional steps to curb violence. But, she added, it is important that the United States does not "rebuke a leader making a difference."

 May 30, 2007, Kansas City Star, “Keep momentum on U.S. trade”
At the end of next month, a law streamlining the process for approval of international trade deals will expire. Congress should renew it quickly. Approval would allow the next president, regardless of party, to continue prying open international markets. Continued progress on trade is in America’s long-term best interests. We are the world’s largest exporter. Our economy benefits from expanding foreign markets, and consumers benefit from the lower prices and increased choices provided by trade.

May 15, 2007 – National Business Review, “US legislators agree on trade pact”
Globalization advocates haven't had much to cheer about in recent times. However, the newly-developed trade pact between Democrat and Republican legislators in the US could change all that. The Bush administration last week reached agreement with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to attach environmental and worker protections in several pending trade accords, clearing the way for early passage of some pacts and improving prospects for others.

May 15, 2007 – Textile World, “Agreement Reached On New Trade Policies”
The Democratic leadership of the House of Representatives and officials of the Bush administration have forged new trade policy guidelines that could have a major impact on textile and apparel trade. The agreement is designed to clear the way for congressional approval of four pending free trade agreements (FTAs) and extension of the president’s trade promotion authority (TPA), and maybe even give new life to the World Trade Organization’s Doha Round of trade liberalization negotiations.

May 14, 2007 – Media Newswire, “State’s Negroponte Outlines Goals for Latin American Development”
The United States is pursuing a positive agenda with nations in the Western Hemisphere on trade, democracy and efforts to combat transnational threats, according to Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, speaking midway through his trip to Latin America. No nation, by itself, can deal with threats such as terrorism and narco-trafficking, he said May 9 during a meeting with local media in Quito, Ecuador.

May 14, 2007 – The Caltrade Report, “New Deal Likely to Advance Free Trade Agreements”
The Bush Administration has reached a tentative agreement with key Democrat Congressional leaders, significantly increasing chances that a host of free trade agreements (FTAs) will clear Congress and give a boost to global trade negotiations. The deal was announced last week by Administration officials and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (D-California). 

May 14, 2007 – Znet, “AfroColombians Oppose Free Trade Agreement”
Ana Valencia still tries to eke out a living as a miner in the hills near the headwaters of Colombia's Rio Salvajina. Her sisters are gone now to the nearest city of Cali, where they work as domestics. She's having a hard time hanging on. "Due to the absolute poverty in which we live," Valencia explains in Spanish, "many women have to move to the city to work. Single women have to leave their children behind with the eldest child caring for the younger siblings. They can't afford to send all of their children to school, because you must pay for tuition and their uniform and there isn't enough money to go around. So they come home every two weeks to leave more food for the children and return to the city again. That is their only option."

May 11, 2007 – Heritage.org, “The New Shape of America's Trade Policy”
After months of rumor and speculation, on May 10, Congress and the Bush Administration finally announced that they have arrived at a compromise deal redefining America's trade policy. The deal may be worth celebrating, but only after the specific language of the agreement is finalized and only if that final language preserves trade freedom. Details regarding the more controversial aspects of the accord have been revealed, giving some insight to the direction U.S. trade policy may now take. It is a direction that may not promote U.S. interests.Congress and the President must ensure that U.S. trade policy continues to advance the goals of freeing trade and promoting American leadership in trade liberalization around the world. New restrictions on free trade agreements (FTAs) that impose costs on potential partner countries or on the U.S. will hinder the achievement of these goals.

May 11, 2007– U.S. Department of State Press Release, “Deal with Congress Likely to Advance Free Trade Agreements”
Washington -- The Bush administration has reached a tentative agreement with key Democratic congressional leaders, significantly increasing chances that a host of free trade agreements (FTAs) will clear Congress and give a boost to global trade negotiations. The deal was announced May 10 by the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and also by administration officials. The trade deal with the Democrats removes a major stumbling block to the FTAs with Peru and Panama, which have languished in Congress, and those with Colombia and South Korea, which have been completed but not yet submitted to Congress. 

May 11, 2007 – Harold Doan and Associates Ltd, “United States and Singapore Welcome Increased Trade and Investment from Free Trade Agreement”
U.S. and Singaporean officials met in Singapore today and welcomed the continued increase in trade and investment since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries entered into force on January 1, 2004. Two-way trade has surged 34 percent since the FTA came into force and Singapore is now the United States’ ninth largest export market, moving up from eleventh place in 2003. Officials from the United States and Singapore, who met for the third annual review of the FTA, also noted the continued strong growth in investment flows since the FTA entered into force. The FTA has further enhanced Singapore's attractiveness as an investment destination, and it is now the third largest recipient of U.S. foreign direct investment in the Asia-Pacific, after Australia and Japan. The FTA also has helped to add momentum to Singapore’s initiatives to develop as a regional and global hub for medical technology, financial services, and transport and shipping.

May 11, 2007 – The Washington Post, “U.S. to present trade pact partners with changes soon”
The Bush administration will move quickly to present Panama, Peru, Colombia and South Korea with proposed changes to free trade agreements required under a new bipartisan trade policy deal with Congress, U.S. trade officials said on Friday. Changes are required in the four agreements because of the bipartisan deal announced late Thursday by Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other senior Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

May 11, 2007 – The Washington Post, “Top U.S. labor group wary of bipartisan trade deal”
The largest U.S. labor group reacted cautiously on Friday to a deal between the White House and Democratic leaders in Congress to strengthen labor and environmental protections in free trade agreements, while most business groups welcomed it.

May 11, 2007 – New York Times, “Bush and Democrats in Accord on Trade Deals”
The Bush administration reached agreement on Thursday with the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and other Democrats to attach environmental and worker protections in several pending trade accords, clearing the way for early passage of some pacts and improving prospects for others.

May 11, 2007 – Living In Peru, “Free trade Amendments to be sent to Peru next week”
According to Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, the preliminary amendments to the Unites States-Peru Free Trade Agreement will be ready sometime next week. As we reported earlier, the United States Congress reached a bipartisan agreement to green light the U.S.-Peru FTA ratification process. As part of the agreement, U.S. Trade officials and Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade will negotiate amendments to the treaty, rather than renegotiating the entire agreement -something which Peru strongly opposed since its parliamentary body has already approved the deal.

May 10, 2007 – The Washington Post, “Sides Get Closer to A Deal On Trade”
The Bush administration and Democratic leaders have struck a compromise that would insert stricter labor rules into future trade treaties, potentially lending fresh momentum to the global effort to promote free trade, sources briefed on the talks said yesterday. The agreement would remove the primary obstacle to congressional approval of pending trade deals with Peru and Panama, while enhancing prospects for a more controversial agreement with Colombia, the sources said. It generates momentum for the possible revival of the long-stalled Doha round of trade talks, aimed at aiding poor countries by rolling back tariffs worldwide.

May 10, 2007 – The Associated Press, “US officials reach agreement on trade deals to open way for Peru, Panama, other pacts”
Congressional Democratic leaders say they have forged new trade policy guidelines with the Bush administration that will elevate labor and environmental rights to key components in future free trade agreements. Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, flanked by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, said the agreement signaled "a giant step forward" in advancing U.S. economic interests without sacrificing American workers and the environment.

May 1, 2007 – The Politico, “Lobbyists for free trade, fair labor spar over trade agreements”
While congressional Democrats and the Bush administration wrangle over pending trade agreements, the labor and business lobbies are quietly warming up their influence wrestlers for what comes next -- a veritable cage match that determines the president's authority to broker future trade deals. And few states would feel the outcome's impact more than California, which weighs in with a $1.6 trillion economy -- the world's eighth largest in 2005 -- and $127.7 billion in exports last year. With much at stake, California officials at home and in Washington are watching closely.

April 30, 2007 - The Associated Press, “SKorea-U.S. FTA May Boost Asian Economy”
South Korea’s free-trade agreement with the United States will likely boost the Asian nation's economic growth by a cumulative 6 percent over the next decade, state-run research institutes said Monday. Implementing the agreement "will raise (South) Korea's real GDP by 6.0 percent ... or by 0.6 percent on average annually for the next 10 years," the institutes said in a joint report. The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, the Korea Development Institute and the Korea Institute of Finance were among 11 government-funded institutes that cooperated to assess the economic effects of the agreement.

April 26, 2007 – The Nation, “US Congress should extend 'fast-track' trading power: WTO chief”
World Trade Organization chief Pascal Lamy urged the US Congress Wednesday to extend special presidential trade powers to advance the stalled Doha Round of global trade talks. Winding up a three-day visit to Washington, the WTO director general said he had met with the main players in US trade and had spent "most of my time" with members of Congress. Lamy, speaking at a joint news conference with US Trade Representative Susan Schwab, said he had delivered a message on US President George W. Bush's "fast-track" Trade Promotion Authority.

April 25, 2007 – Forbes, “Free trade deals: where are we now?”
The sticking points of the pending free trade deals with Panama, Peru and Columbia are about to become, well, freed up. According to House Ways and Means Committee chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., Congressional Democrats and the White House could reach a compromise as early as this week on the "last obstacles" to the Latin American deals.

April 25, 2007 – Living in Peru, “Peru's Garcia says U.S. willing to support FTA ratification”
Fresh off his trip from the United States, Peruvian President Alan Garcia declared U.S. officials 'are willing' to support Peru's push to ratify the free trade agreement between both nations. "I think we have achieved some positive things," said Garcia after yesterday's meeting with U.S. Senator and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Max Baucus (Montana-D), and Senator Chuck Grasely (Iowa-R), a senior member the same committee. "Judging from the expressions and gestures I received from U.S. Democratic and Republican representatives, as well as from the Secretary of State (Condoleezza Rice), I would say there is great will to support Peru," said the Peruvian leader.

April 25, 2007 – Truth about Trade and Technology, “Playing with fire on trade”
Are Democrats in cahoots with Latin America’s dictators and drug lords? Because that’s who wins by shutting Panama, Colombia and Peru out of U.S. free trade. It’s a bad idea. Congressional trade foes may not think they’re doing Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez’s bidding, or helping illegal immigrant smuggling rackets, or making drug lords rub their hands with glee, but that’s exactly what closing the door to U.S. trade with Panama, Colombia and Peru, will do. The clock is ticking as Trade Promotion Agreements (TPAs) for the three are in danger of going down in flames.

Apr 24, 2007 – Washington Post, “U.S. could be forced to sidelines on trade: Schwab”
The United States will lose its ability to negotiate new trade deals unless Congress renews White House trade promotion authority, which expires in a little more than two months, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said on Tuesday.

April 24, 2007 – Living in Peru, “Peru and U.S. solidify relations during Garcia's visit”
Peruvian President Alan Garcia concluded his first full day of meetings in the United States as he attempts to build momentum in obtaining support from United States officials to ratify the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement. Early yesterday morning, Garcia met with U.S. President George W. Bush to discuss their strategy to convince U.S. Democrats in approving the trade promotion treaty between both nations.

April 24, 2007 – The Miami Herald, “Peru, Colombia and Panama lobby for U.S. free-trade pacts”
As crunch time nears, Peru, Colombia and Panama have embarked on a nearly unprecedented lobbying effort to salvage their free-trade agreements with Washington. On Monday, Peruvian President Alán García started a two-day visit to Washington aimed at charming U.S. lawmakers. Next week, Colombia's embattled President Alvaro Uribe will make the rounds -- his 10th trip to Washington since being elected in 2002. Panama is sending Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro shortly afterward.

April 24, 2007 – New York Post, “A drug-war dilema”
Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-Harlem) faces a crucial choice: As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, will he do what's needed to keep drugs off the streets? He's a key man in ratifying the free-trade agreement between the United States and Colombia - and that accord will have real consequences on 125th Street and across America. With the help of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Colombia has been making sensational progress in the war on drugs. We visited Medellin, Colombia, earlier this month and found no vestiges of the once-dominant Medellin cartel.

 April 24, 2007 – Los Angeles Times, “Bush meets with Peruvian president”
President Bush dusted off his Spanish for an Oval Office meeting with Peruvian President Alan Garcia on Monday as the leaders discussed trade, reviewed efforts to fight cocaine production and exchanged condolences over the Virginia Tech massacre, which claimed the life of a Peruvian student. Garcia announced that Bush would visit Peru next year, and the South American chief of state said he was in Washington to urge Congress to pass a free-trade agreement the administration has reached with his nation.

April 23, 2007 – Washington Post, “Bush, Congress close to trade pact deal: lawmaker”
The White House and the U.S. Congress are close to a deal on labor and other issues that have blocked approval of free trade pacts with Peru, Colombia and Panama, a senior Democratic lawmaker said on Monday. "We're very hopeful by the end of the week ... we can overcome the last obstacle that we have," House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat, said in a speech.

April 23, 2007 – Reuters, “Bush, Congress close to trade pact deal: lawmaker”
The White House and the U.S. Congress are close to a deal on labor and other issues that have blocked approval of free trade pacts with Peru, Colombia and Panama, a senior Democratic lawmaker said on Monday."We're very hopeful by the end of the week … we can overcome the last obstacle that we have," House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat, said in a speech.

April 23, 2007 – National Business Review, “WTO director calls for US leadership on Doha”
World Trade Organisation director-general Pascal Lamy is pleading with the Bush administration and the US Congress to show some leadership in brokering a successful outcome in the WTO’s Doha trade liberalisation round. In a speech to the US Chamber of Commerce, Lamy alluded to the importance of the administration getting a new Trade Promotion Authority (fast-track negotiating authority) mandate when the existing TPA expires at the end of June.

April 23, 2007 – CQ Today, “Congress Gets Several Messages on Importance of Fast-Track Trade Renewal”
The president of Peru on Monday joined President Bush in urging Congress to pass the pending free-trade deal between the United States and his nation. “It is vital for our country,” Alan García said after meeting with Bush at the White House. García said implementation of the pact would promote “growth and social redistribution” in Peru and shore up the country’s democracy. The Peruvian legislature has already ratified the deal, leaving U.S. congressional approval as the final hurdle.

April 21, 2007 – Business Times, “US, Malaysian negotiators keen to conclude FTA”
Negotiators from the US and Malaysia are keen to see through the conclusion of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), said US Assistant Trade Representative for Asia Pacific Barbara Weisel. The negotiating team missed the March 31 deadline to submit the agreement for fast-track approval from Capitol Hill but both sides see the FTA as beneficial and are prepared to move on.

 April 20, 2007 – CalTrade Report, “Congress to Likely Grant Restricted TPA”
Congress is more than likely “sure to approve a limited extension” of President Bush’s trade promotion authority (TPA) in a bid to assure the successful conclusion of the stalled Doha Round of global trade negotiations, according to House of Representative Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel. "We are prepared to give a restricted fast-track, limited to the Doha convention," the New York Democrat said in remarks Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington.

 April 20, 2007 – The New York Times, “Colombia's Uribe Says Gore Snubs Him”
“Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, facing allegations that he supported right-wing death squads, said former U.S. Vice President Al Gore pulled out of a conference on Friday where the two were scheduled to speak. Uribe said Gore's office contacted him to say he would not attend the conference in Miami because of the scandal in which eight members of Uribe's congressional coalition are in jail awaiting trial for backing drug-running paramilitaries.”

April 19, 2007 – The Washington Post, “U.S. Trade Pacts at Risk Over Business-Labor Clash”
“Bush administration efforts to reach a deal with the U.S. Congress on trade were thrown into doubt on Thursday as U.S. business and labor groups clashed over the core issue in the talks. The Democratic chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives sternly rebuked a leading U.S. business group for raising concerns about possible challenges to U.S. labor laws.”

April 19, 2007 – Press Telegram, “Diplomats Talk Trade”
“Two top South American diplomats dropped by Long Beach early Wednesday on the first leg of a cross-country tour to promote stalled international trade agreements between the U.S., Peru and Colombia. The free-trade pacts would further open the two nations' emerging markets to U.S. exports like wheat, wine, heavy machinery and computer software, but are strongly opposed by labor organizations, environmentalists and their allies in Washington.”

 April 18, 2007 – The Houston Chronicle, “Labor Issue Bogs Down Trade Deals”
“U.S. businesses fear agreements might be costly to management U.S. businesses, which have encouraged the Bush administration to work out new trade deals, are now worried that new agreements may force changes in U.S. laws that would favor labor at the expense of management.The proposals, pushed by Democrats in Congress, may force revisions in state and federal labor laws such as those that limit the ability of workers to strike, according to a memorandum issued this month by the U.S. Council for International Business.”

 April 18, 2007 – The Washington Post, “No 'Legitimacy' to the WTO”
“In his April 2 op-ed ["Free Trade: Pause or Fast-Forward?"], Sebastian Mallaby expressed the worry that trouble will follow "if the legitimacy of WTO panels is undermined." What legitimacy? U.S. citizens have not voted to abdicate their sovereignty. Americans were not asked if they wanted local, state and federal laws to be preempted or repealed by unaccountable World Trade Organization tribunals representing the interests of global corporations. The WTO and trade pacts that Mr. Mallaby promotes under the guise of "free trade" have failed precisely because they lack legitimacy and undermine our constitutional right to self-governance.”

April 17, 2007 – The Herald Tribune, “U.S. Democratic Leader Opens Door to New Trade Deal”
“A top Democrat in Congress said U.S. lawmakers may help revive the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of multinational talks — with some conditions attached.Rep. Charles Rangel, a Democrat who chairs the key Ways and Means committee that deals with trade issues, said lawmakers may renew so-called "fast-track" authority for the White House negotiating international trade deals.”

April 17, 2007 – Spero News, “Why free Free Trade Works for America”
“U.S. trade policy and the impact of globalization on America are regularly the subjects of contentious debate both on Capitol Hill and in the media, and 2007 promises more of the same. U.S. trade policy and the impact of globalization on America are regularly the subjects of contentious debate both on Capitol Hill and in the media, and 2007 promises more of the same. The free trade argu­ment is played out between those that fear the per­ceived negative effects of freer trade on their own narrow interests and those that embrace the eco­nomic and strategic benefits that open market poli­cies will bring to the economy as a whole. Consequently, in today's policy world, free trade leg­islation passes on the margin, where every vote is crit­ical. The loss of even a few proponents of freer trade policies could result in a costly shift away from the open market policies that have helped to bolster America's economic growth.”

April 6, 2007 – The Korea Times, “Trade Pact to Change Recruiting Landscape”
“A seismic shift is about to take place on the job market, following the landmark free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and the United States. As trade liberalization opens their respective market doors wider for both Korean and multinational U.S. companies, competition in human resources will heat up for top talent. Experts say that there will be high demand for jobseekers with English fluency and specialized knowledge in various industrial sectors, including automobiles and textiles, the two sides agreed upon for market opening under the so-called KORUS FTA.”

March 23, 2007 – Inside U.S. Trade, “Business Groups To Target Freshmen in Fast-Track Lobbying Effort”
“U.S. business groups have started meeting with freshman lawmakers in an effort to build support this year for an extension of fast-track negotiating authority, which will expire this summer. Industry sources said freshmen are a priority group, since a vote on fast track will likely be their first major trade vote, and said the group will pursue an "aggressive Hill campaign" along with grassroots work in various states.”

March 20, 2007 – Congress Daily AM, Martin Vaughan, “Business Sees Possible Movement to Renew Trade Authority”
“As House Democrats continue to negotiate with U.S. trade officials over labor standards to jumpstart trade deals with Colombia, Peru and Panama, some business lobbyists are speculating the House might leapfrog those agreements and cut right to a vote on renewing presidential trade negotiating authority.”

March 19, 2007 – TIME, Jim Erickson, “For Trade Talks, Time is Very Short”
“Since 2001, the WTO has been holding complex negotiations in an attempt to reduce existing barriers to trade in agriculture, services and manufacturing....On July 1, the ‘fast track’ authority that was granted to President George W. Bush to approve trade pacts expires. After that, Congress will be able to tinker with and amend any WTO deal.”

March 2, 2007 – Inside U.S. Trade, “Paulson Calls for TPA Renewal, Open to TAA Changes”
“Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson yesterday (March 1) made a high-level case for renewing fast-track trade negotiating authority this year in order to conclude the Doha round negotiations….‘Without renewed TPA, the odds of reaching a successful conclusion on Doha will be greatly diminished -- and an important opportunity to increase our exports in services, manufacturing, and agriculture will slip away,’ he said. ‘To leave benefits on the bargaining table when we are so close to achieving them would do a terrible disservice to working families and would clearly leave our economy worse off.’”

February 27, 2007 – Congress Daily AM, Keith Koffler, “Schwab: Congress Will Have Trade Input”
“‘I am not going to prejudge what the United States Congress is going to do in terms of its timetable of moving legislation,’ she said. But Schwab said she has had ‘some good conversations’ in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle that have ‘led me to believe they are open to a conversation about moving a trade promotion authority bill.’”

February 26, 2007 – Roll Call, Kate Ackley, “Not So Fast on Fast Track; Both Sides Gear Up, Dig In for Extended Fight on Trade Policy”
“While still pushing for renewal by this June, the Trade for America Coalition, whose members include usual suspects such as the National Association of Manufacturers and the Business Roundtable, has three co-chairmen, including up-and-comers in the trade policy fights. Bill Lane, a longtime free-trade advocate with Caterpillar, said, ‘We're very aware that as part of promoting trade liberalization, we have to be serious about succession planning, and as part of that we are exceedingly focused on making sure there are leadership opportunities for the next wave of leaders. Business has been rightfully criticized for mounting 'just-in-time' lobby efforts. We now need a sustained effort to promote trade, and to do that we need to help the next wave of trade leaders to succeed.’”

February 14, 2007 – Congress Daily PM, Martin Vaughan, “Schwab Presses Case for ‘Fast Track’ at Ways and Means”
“The Bush administration earned the trust of the Congress last year when it allowed global trade talks to stall rather than sign on to an agreement that would not have benefited U.S. firms and workers, Trade Representative Schwab contended today. In turn, that gesture could serve as a foundation for a renewal of presidential trade negotiating authority, Schwab argued in testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee.”

February 13, 2007 – Congress Daily AM, “Business, Tech Groups Urge Fast-Track Renewal”
“The Business Roundtable has launched Trade for America, a broad coalition of associations from various industry sectors, to push for renewal. The group said the authority is a key tool for the United States' continued economic competitiveness.”

February 13, 2007 – The Washington Times, Steve Hirsch, “Firms Join Bush in Trade Authority Push; Argue It’s Essential for U.S. Competitiveness”
“The Bush administration and business groups joined in a lobbying effort yesterday to extend presidential trade authority past June….U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab pushed for extending the authority at a briefing sponsored by ‘Trade for America,’ a new business, agriculture and trade association group formed to push for trade authority renewal. Failure to renew the authority, Mrs. Schwab said, ‘would signal to the world that the United States has lost faith in Doha and we must not let that happen.’”

February 13, 2007 – Wall Street Journal, “Bush Trade Powers”
“U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and the Business Roundtable, which represents top chief executives, kicked off a campaign to persuade the Democratic Congress to renew the White House's trade-promotion authority. Ms. Schwab and others argued that failure to extend the president's ‘fast-track’ authority, which expires on June 30, could undermine global trade talks and weaken U.S. exports. Democrats largely opposed reinstating the authority in 2002.”

February 12, 2007 – Market News International, Melissa Meyer, “USTR Schwab: Urges Congress to Renew Trade Promo. Authority”
“U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab once again Monday renewed the Administration's call for Congress to renew Trade Promotion Authority, set to expire July 1, saying it is key to maintaining the country's prosperity. ‘This is crucial for our prosperity and for the economic growth and health of the global economy,’ Schwab said. ‘Trade agreements mean more exports, and more exports mean better jobs.’ Schwab spoke at an event launching the Trade for America business coalition to help support the administration's efforts to gain TPA renewal.”

February 12, 2007 – Agence France Presse, “Corporate America Urges Congress on Trade Authority”
“Leslie Griffin, a co-chair of Trade for America and vice president at New York Life Insurance Co., said nothing less than the ‘economic prosperity of our nation’ was at stake. ‘America's major trade competitors, including the European Union, China and Japan are actively and aggressively negotiating trade agreements throughout the world,’ she said. ‘To keep pace and ensure US success at the negotiating table, Congress must renew this critical tool.’”

February 12, 2007 – Dow Jones, “Top U.S. Trade Negotiator Kicks Off Push For Fast-track Authority”
“In a news conference kicking off a business-led campaign to renew the administration's trade promotion authority, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and business leaders warned that failure to extend the law could undermine global trade talks and weaken U.S. exports. The United States ‘must be a force to reverse’ signs of a rising tide of protectionism around the globe, Schwab said. ‘The United States needs to be in the game with trade promotion authority in hand, not on the sidelines.’”

February 5, 2007 – Reuters, Doug Palmer, “U.S. Manufacturers Seek Lengthy Fast Track Extension”
“U.S. manufacturers will urge Congress to approve a lengthy extension of controversial ‘fast-track’ trade negotiating authority for President Bush, an industry leader said Monday. ‘At a minimum, you ought to take it through the first year of a new president,’ John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, told reporters at a press luncheon.…U.S. manufacturers, who depend on exports for a large share of their business, are afraid of losing sales to competitors in Europe and Asia if Congress does not approve an extension of trade promotion authority this year, Engler said.”

January 31, 2007 – The Washington Times, Steve Hirsch, “Bush Pushes for Renewed Trade Authority; Tells Workers that Pacts Work to Their Benefit”
“President Bush yesterday said his administration will continue to negotiate free-trade agreements, as top congressional Democrats, who now are in the majority in both houses of Congress, attacked the administration's handling of trade issues. Mr. Bush is expected to ask this week for renewal of "trade promotion authority," which allows him to submit trade agreements to Congress for an up-or-down vote without changes. That authority expires June 30, but with new Democratic majorities in Congress, he may face a fight. ‘We've got free-trade agreements,’ he said in a speech at Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria, Ill. ‘That's how you make sure that we're treated fairly.’”

January 31, 2007 – Dow Jones, Henry Pulizzi, “Bush: Completing Doha Requires Fast Track Authority”
U.S. President George W. Bush Wednesday pledged to work hard to complete the stalled Doha trade talks round, but said Congress needs to extend his fast-track trade negotiating authority if the talks are to be brought to a successful conclusion. ‘The only way America can complete Doha and make headway on other trade agreements is to extend trade promotion authority,’ Bush said during a speech in New York. ‘I ask Congress to renew it.’”

January 25, 2007 – The Hill, Ian Swanson, “President to Request Fast Track Next Week”
“President Bush will ask Congress to extend fast-track negotiating authority in one of two speeches on the economy next week, according to administration sources, after choosing not to make the request in his State of the Union address. Without fast track, which expires at the end of June, the administration would lose the ability to send free-trade agreements to Congress for up-or-down votes. This would make it virtually impossible for the administration to negotiate bilateral deals or a World Trade Organization agreement it is trying to conclude.”