U.S.- Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement

Supporting Democracy, Economic Reform and Regional Integration

The U.S.-Colombia TPA promotes close cooperation between the United States and Colombia on a number of important regional issues such as counter-narcotics, economic development and support for democracy.  In the early 1990s, Colombia unilaterally initiated economic liberalization or "apertura" which included tariff reductions, financial deregulation, privatization of state-owned enterprises and the adoption of a more liberal foreign exchange regime.  The United States has supported this transition to democratic institutions and enhanced economic growth through a number of programs including the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA).

The U.S.-Colombia TPA commits Colombia, Latin America’s oldest democracy, to adopt more open and transparent procedures that should deepen the roots of civil society and the rule of law in the region, as well as reinforce market reforms.  These reforms, coupled with increased trade and investment flows, should promote expanded growth and openness in the region, as well as support common efforts to achieve stronger labor and environmental protection. 

Prepared by the International Trade Administration,
Market Access and Compliance,
Office of Latin America and Caribbean