Secretary's Speech

Gutierrez Remarks at the Administration Press Conference on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement

It is profoundly disappointing that Democratic congressional leadership is choosing to change the rules in the middle of the game. We need to stand up for American interests rather than special interests. American workers, farmers and manufacturers deserve a vote in support of exports.

Two months ago this Congress, once again, gave Colombian workers duty-free access to U.S. markets. This has happened consistently since the preferences went into effect in 1992.

It’s been more than 500 days since the FTA was signed, and in that time American exporters have paid more than $1 billion in taxes and tariffs. In the meantime, Colombian exports have come into the United States duty free.

Without this agreement, American businesses, workers and farmers will lose. If Colombians don’t buy our tractors they’ll buy them from Japan. If they don’t buy our wheat, they’ll buy it from Canada. If they don’t buy our high-tech equipment, they’ll buy it from China.

If we want to help exporters, we should approve this agreement now. If we want to help the American economy, we should approve this agreement now. If we really want to strengthen labor rights in Colombia we should approve this agreement now. If we want to stand by an ally, we should approve this agreement now. Delaying helps no one except for the special interests that are holding this up.