April 24, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC - Rules Committee Ranking Republican David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA) joined Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and several other Members of Congress today to unveil the Colombia Tariff Ticker and continue to urge Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to schedule a vote on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).  The Tariff Ticker demonstrates how American businesses and workers are losing out on export opportunities as they await passage of the Colombia FTA. 

“There are many reasons to support the U.S.-Colombia FTA and chief among them is the potential economic benefit for U.S. workers, businesses, and exporters,” Dreier said.  “This agreement will level the playing field by removing tariffs on our products going into Colombia, something Colombian exporters already enjoy for their exports coming here.  It just makes sense.  Why wouldn’t we want to expand opportunities for companies like Caterpillar, Whirlpool, and others?  Why wouldn’t we want to allow ports all across America to enjoy brisker business thanks to an expanded trading partnership?  Every day we don’t have a vote on the Colombia FTA, American workers lose out.  Every day we don’t have a vote, it costs us money and costs us jobs.  When will Speaker Pelosi schedule this critically important vote?”

The Colombia Tariff Ticker demonstrates how the lack of progress on the U.S.-Colombia FTA is costing American businesses and workers.  Every day it languishes, U.S. firms lose $2 million a day and $22 per second.  To see the Tariff Ticker, visit http://trade.gov/cfta/smallerticker.html