The United States has not always gotten the best deal when negotiating for "free trade" with other countries. That’s why each new trade agreement must be considered individually by Congress to make sure it is fair to America.

The U.S. currently extends duty-free treatment to imports from Peru. In the last three years, trade with Peru has nearly doubled, but high tarrifs have limited access by our entrepreneurs to Peruvian markets. The Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) levels the playing field for the United States by allowing U.S. companies to export to Peru duty-free. This agreement also opens up new markets for small and medium sized businesses and creates additional opportunities for American manufacturing and agricultural industries.

In the past, I have voted for some trade agreements and against others depending on the terms of each one. The Peru FTA will create economic growth for both the United States and Peru through our shared values of economic freedom and democracy. This bill passed both the House and Senate and was signed in to law by the President.