← U.S. Chamber of Commerce
USTRNonrulemakingUSTR-2009-0021

Request for Comments Concerning Free Trade Agreement With the Republic of Colombia

RIN
—
Last modified
Nov 5, 2014
Comment window
closed 6160d ago
U.S. Chamber of Commerce filings
2

Activity

U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed 2 comments on this docket between Sep 16, 2009 and Sep 16, 2009. 108 other organizations filed here. The comment window closed 6160d ago.

What U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed (2)

Sep 16, 2009· Comment from Sergio Domingues, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America· USTR-2009-0021-0190

September 15, 2009 VIA ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION http://www.regulations.gov – Docket No. USTR-2009-0021 From:U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America To:Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Re:Request for Comments Concerning Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Colombia (74 FR 37759, July 29, 2009) The comments below are submitted in accordance with the Request for Comments published in the Federal Register by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on July 29, 2009. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (the "Chamber") and the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA) appreciate this opportunity to share its strong support for the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement ("CTPA"), and address the issue of labor standards as they relate to the agreement. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector, and region. The 23 American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean joined to together to form the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America represent more than 20,000 companies and over 80% of U.S. investment in the region. The Chamber and AACCLA believe that open trade is essential to the continued vitality of the U.S. economy and its millions of workers, farmers, and businesses. Likewise, it provides a boost to our trading partners, who benefit from a stable and open trade and investment relationship with the United States. Open, reciprocal trade is quite simply a win-win proposition. U.S. Trade Leadership Shapes Globalization and Spreads American Values Trade agreements like the CTPA are the principal vehicle by which the United States exercises its policy leadership in the global trade arena. U.S. trade agreements foster the development of a global, rules-based trading system, with clear, agreed-upon, and enforceable rules. Rules-based trade is fair trade. Global trading rules will be developed with or without U.S. participation. However, active U.S. leadership is critical to ensure that the rules of trade are reflective of American values and interests. Rules-based trade through free trade agreements is one important way America is working to shape the dynamic of globalization to ensure that it is a force for positive change and development both here at home and around the world. An ambitious, market-opening U.S. trade agenda will provide growth opportunities for U.S. workers by securing access to new markets, while helping Americans provide for their families through access to affordable goods and services. Artificial trade barriers that raise the cost of a given product or service reduce the value of every U.S. consumer's dollar. And U.S. producers can't be competitive in global markets if they are forced to pay artificially high prices for the industrial inputs they require. Trade agreements are indispensable to trade enforcement. Absent a defined, rules-based system for international trade, foreign unfair trade practices go largely un-prevented and unpunished. Since World War II, the United States has led global efforts to ensure that international trade takes place under a rules-based system. The U.S. ability to prevent foreign unfair practices is undermined if our own rules are not perceived to be fair and up-to-date. We know that many countries frequently pursue practices that unfairly expand their own market share at the expense of U.S. interests; therefore, it is imperative that our own practices in this area be above reproach. Recent U.S. trade agreements require transparency and accountability in day-to-day governance and regulation of commerce, fostering an environment of openness and fairness in global markets. It is important to have agreements at every level. Multilateral agreements are essential to the critical mass necessary to build a truly global rules-based trading system; bil…

View on regulations.gov →
Sep 16, 2009· Comment from Sergio Domingues, U.S. Chamber of Commerce· USTR-2009-0021-0277

Trade Action – or Inaction: The Cost for American Workers and Companies by Laura M. Baughman and Joseph F. Francois* September 15, 2009 Summary In recent months, the United States has taken a number of trade actions – and refused to take others – that have a negative impact on U.S. companies, their workers, and the economy. We examine three of these – the failure to implement the U.S.-Colombia and the U.S.-Korea free trade agreements, "Buy American" provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("Recovery Act"), and the failure to implement the trucking provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement and Mexico's resulting retaliation against U.S. exports. At the request of the United States Chamber of Commerce, we estimate these three trade actions/inactions would have a negative effect on U.S. companies and their workers, and that employment losses could total as much as 585,800 jobs.

View on regulations.gov →

Abstract

No abstract recorded.

View on regulations.gov →

Co-filers (108)

See everyone who commented →
Request for Comments Concerning Free Trade Agreement With the Republic of Colombia (USTR) — U.S. Chamber of Commerce | OpenPolis